REG - Aptamer Group PLC - Update on licensing and development progress

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RNS Number : 3408W  Aptamer Group PLC  22 August 2025

 

22 August 2025

 

Aptamer Group plc

 

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

 

Update on licensing and development progress

Multiple enzyme modulation licensing opportunities and commercial validation
from top five pharmaceutical partner

 

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the leading developer of next-generation
synthetic binders delivering innovation to the life sciences industry, is
pleased to provide an update on its enzyme modulation projects and a separate
development project with a top five pharmaceutical company, highlighting
significant advancements in licensing and development.

 

First enzyme-modulating Optimer® - multiple non-exclusive licensing
opportunities

 

Aptamer's Optimer® binders modulate enzyme activity by specifically binding
to the enzyme, changing its shape or blocking its active site, which can
either inhibit or activate its function. This is commercially important
because they enable precise, tunable control of enzyme activity, unlocking new
possibilities for targeted therapeutics, diagnostics, molecular tools and
industrial bioprocessing. The following license opportunities are related to
exploitation in diagnostics and molecular tool applications.

 

·    Licence 1: Aptamer has received initial sales forecasts from its
first partner for the first commercial enzyme inhibitor in one specific
application area. This 10-year non-exclusive licensing deal, which is at an
advanced stage of negotiation, is forecast to cover approximately 15% of the
Group's annual overhead through passive income over the next three years. This
forecast is subject to the partner achieving its projected sales targets, with
commercial sales anticipated to begin before the end of the year.

 

·   Licence 2: Aptamer continues to advance licensing discussions with a
second partner, a growing global distributor of enzymes for non-exclusive
access to this enzyme-modulating product. Sales forecasts are currently being
finalised for this second licensing agreement. Updates will be provided as
discussions progress.

 

·    Licence 3: Aptamer has further signed a Material Transfer Agreement
(MTA) with a third partner, a leading global distributor of enzymes, to allow
this partner to evaluate the technology. This agreement positions the Company
for a potential third non-exclusive licence in this area, further
demonstrating the growing interest in Optimer® binders for enzyme modulation
applications and demand for new solutions in this field.

 

Second enzyme-modulating Optimer® project - final development stage

 

Following successful completion and customer approval of all earlier phases,
Aptamer has advanced its second enzyme inhibitor project to the final
development stage. Discussions are underway regarding a second licensing deal
for this reagent, expanding Aptamer's portfolio to include two separate enzyme
modulation technologies based on its proprietary Optimer® platform.

 

Update on ELISA project with top five pharmaceutical customer

 

Separate from the announcement on 18 August 2025, Aptamer has received
extremely positive feedback from a top five global pharmaceutical partner on
their evaluation of the Optimer®. The customer has evaluated the Optimer® in
a parallel application, showing that the Optimer® significantly outperformed
all previously tested antibodies. As a result, the customer has placed repeat
orders of the Optimer® to expand internal testing and evaluation of the
technology. The developed Optimer® will be used to support a current clinical
drug development programme, with licensing agreements for such reagents
typically commanding up to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

 

These developments underscore the commercial potential of Aptamer's Optimer®
technology in providing innovative antibody-alternative solutions, with
opportunities for recurring revenue through licensing and royalties.

 

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer of Aptamer Group, said: "The progress
across our enzyme modulation projects, including the advancement to the final
development stage on our second inhibitor, is a really exciting milestone. The
sales forecasts for our first commercial enzyme highlight the tangible value
our Optimer® platform can deliver, potentially covering a meaningful portion
of the Group's overhead through royalty income. With an MTA now in place with
a major global distributor, we are well-positioned for additional
non-exclusive licenses.

 

With growing commercial interest from global partners, including one of the
world's top five pharmaceutical companies, we are confident that our Optimer®
platform is well-positioned to deliver long-term shareholder value through
recurring royalty revenues and strategic licensing opportunities."

 

- 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 US$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/)

 

 

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