REG - Aptamer Group PLC - Trading Update

AptamerAnnouncement

Thu 07:01

For best results when printing this announcement, please click on link below:
https://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20250731:nRSe2881Ta&default-theme=true

RNS Number : 2881T  Aptamer Group PLC  31 July 2025

 

31 July 2025

 

Aptamer Group plc

 

("Aptamer", the "Company" or the "Group")

 

Trading Update

 

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the leading developer of next-generation
synthetic binders delivering innovation to the life science industry, today
announces a trading update for the year ended 30 June 2025.

 

Robust revenue growth and enhanced financial position

The Group delivered unaudited revenue of £1.20 million, representing a 41%
increase over the previous financial year's £0.85 million and demonstrating
increased commercial traction. The cash position at the year-end was £1.06
million, further strengthened post-period end by a successful fundraise of
£1.83 million (net of expenses), positioning the Company with a strengthened
balance sheet ready to capitalise on emerging opportunities.

 

Building momentum with partnerships

During the second half of the financial year, Aptamer signed two new licensing
agreements from its pipeline of 11 licensable assets, underscoring the
versatility and market adoption of the platform:

 

·      A royalty agreement with Neuro-Bio on sales of Optimer-based
clinical diagnostics for Alzheimer's disease with a blended royalty rate of
11.1% on the first £166 million of sales with 5% on all sales thereafter -
positioning the Company to tap into a growing diagnostics market.

·      A royalty agreement with the University of Glasgow for the use of
Optimers in vaccine adjuvants of 10% on all relevant sales, with potential to
contribute to novel vaccine development.

 

In addition to executed deals, the Company has significantly advanced its
licensing pipeline, with multiple new agreements progressing from heads of
agreement to active contracting:

 

·    The first agreement with a global enzyme supplier for the licensing
of a developed enzyme-modulating Optimer, with a proposed royalty rate of 10%
on Optimer-enabled products, plus supply terms and milestone payments.

·    The second agreement with the same global enzyme supplier for a
second enzyme-modulating Optimer programme is progressing through the
laboratory and has progressed with the same royalty and milestone structure,
plus supply terms.

·    A third agreement with a major synthetic biology company for
licensing of a developed enzyme-modulating Optimer, including an undisclosed
upfront payment, supply terms and royalties on Optimer-containing products.

·    Further negotiations are underway with a global health organisation
for the use of developed Optimers targeting folate (vitamin B9), intended for
deployment in global health diagnostics.

 

These deals, alongside repeat engagement with blue-chip clients such as
Unilever (second deodorant programme) and other top 20 pharmaceutical
companies, validate the platform's repeat value and pave the way for
sustained, scalable, global revenue streams.

 

Aptamer continues to build multiple repeat contracts with existing clients and
is focused on laying the groundwork for long-term licensing revenues. For
example, the second agreement signed with the global enzyme supplier to extend
their Optimer-based product portfolio with the development of another enzyme
inhibitor product has already progressed through heads of terms to active
contracting, giving future licensing revenue on successful completion of the
development programme.

 

Furthermore, Aptamer is progressing through a third product evaluation with
another multinational biotechnology company, which could result in another
licensing and royalty agreement for the Company's enzyme inhibitors.

 

Key technical advancements unlocking near-term commercial pathways

Over the past six months, Aptamer has advanced its core assets and made
substantial technical progress, creating a tangible pathway to
commercialisation:

 

·      Successful conversion of Neuro-Bio Alzheimer's binders to ELISA
format, enhancing compatibility with widely used laboratory testing platforms.

·      Optimers developed to enable prenatal diagnosis are being
evaluated by a global life science leader, with positive results reported from
initial assessments, and ongoing commercial discussions are underway.

·      Breakthroughs have been made in the development of Aptamer's
Optimer-based delivery vehicle for liver fibrosis, including validated data
showing effective targeting across multiple fibrotic tissues, enabling
potential applications in a wider range of fibrosis-related conditions and
strengthening the Company's pipeline.

 

Additionally, the target the Optimer binds to in the liver, "the biomarker",
has been identified and the delivery system validated in functional cell-based
assays, which shows the potential of blocking liver fibrosis in a clinical
setting.

 

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer of Aptamer Group, said: "This year
has been pivotal for Aptamer Group as we have started converting our
innovative technologies into high-value commercial partnerships and repeat
business from industry leaders. The repeat business from leading global
partners and the technical milestones reached all underscore the broad
applicability and value of our platform.

 

"After recent investor confidence with an oversubscribed successful fundraise,
we are strongly positioned to advance our pipeline in licensing revenues and
technical development, allowing us to generate enduring shareholder return and
passive income in the medium and long term."

 

- Ends -

 

For further information, please contact:

 Aptamer Group plc                                               +44 (0) 1904 217 404 

 Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer
 SPARK Advisory Partners Limited - Nominated Adviser             +44 (0) 20 3368 3550 

 Andrew Emmott / Jade Bayat 
 Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Limited - Broker                  +44 (0) 20 3657 0050 

 James Pope / Andrew Thacker 
 Northstar Communications Limited - Investor Relations           +44 (0) 113 730 3896

 Sarah Hollins

 

About Aptamer Group

Aptamer Group is a leading developer of next-generation synthetic binders
delivering innovation to the life sciences industry. The Group
develops Optimer® binders, advanced molecules that work like antibodies by
attaching to specific targets in the body. These binders are used
in medicine, diagnostic tests, and research tools, offering benefits
like high stability, reliable performance, and lower costs compared to
traditional antibodies.

 

Aptamer operates a fee-for-service business in the $210 billion market for
antibody alternatives, working with all top 10 global pharmaceutical
companies. It is also building valuable Optimer® assets with partners,
aiming for future licensing revenue.

 

Founded in 2008, the Group listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market in
December 2021 and is headquartered in York, UK.

 

To register for news alerts by email go to
https://aptamergroup.com/investors/investor-news-email-alerts/
(https://aptamergroup.com/investors/investor-news-email-alerts/)

 

 

 

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact
rns@lseg.com (mailto:rns@lseg.com)
 or visit
www.rns.com (http://www.rns.com/)
.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our
Privacy Policy (https://www.lseg.com/privacy-and-cookie-policy)
.   END  TSTURRARVUUBOUR