REG - Aptamer Group PLC - Half Year Trading Update

AptamerAnnouncement

Wed 07:00

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RNS Number : 8991N  Aptamer Group PLC  07 January 2026

 

7 January 2026

 

Aptamer Group plc

 

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

 

Half Year Trading Update

Revenue up 27% to £0.83 million with an FY26 fee-for-service order book of
over £2.0 million

Strong sales pipeline of £3.1 million

Multiple licensing opportunities in advanced stages already generating revenue

Continued delivery on technical and commercial objectives to support financial
strategy

 

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of next-generation synthetic
binders for the life sciences industry, is pleased to announce a trading
update for the six months ending 31 December 2025 (H1 26).

 

Financial performance

Aptamer's unaudited revenue for H1 26 is £0.83 million, representing a
substantial 27% increase from the same period last year (H1 25: £0.65
million), and gives the Board confidence that full year revenue will
materially exceed the prior year.

 

The Group has an FY26 fee-for-service order book of over £2.0 million in new
contracts. In line with previous years, approximately 70% of this revenue is
expected to be recognised during the financial year. In addition, the Group
maintains a strong sales pipeline of £3.1 million as of today. The ongoing
conversion and replenishment of this pipeline demonstrates the Group's ability
to consistently convert opportunities into contracted revenue.

 

Strategic progress towards a recurring revenue model

The Group is successfully executing its stated strategy of building a
sustainable, high-margin business model through fee-for-service revenue and
licensing partnerships. The period has seen significant acceleration in
converting its proprietary technology and intellectual property (IP) into
commercial licensing opportunities and executed agreements, marking a
transition from development to commercialisation.

 

Licensing Agreements

·      Two non-exclusive licensing contracts were signed in December
2025 with Twist Bioscience and Alphazyme, part of Maravai LifeSciences,
delivering immediate upfront payments with ongoing revenues through milestone
payments, royalties and manufacturing income. The first commercial sales are
anticipated in H2 26.

 

·      A third partner, a global manufacturer of a specific enzyme, is
currently evaluating the hot-start PCR Optimer® under a Material Transfer
Agreement for potential non-exclusive licensing and has extended its current
contract to continue testing following initial results.

 

·      Global health partnership advancing, with negotiations in the
final stages for licensing of a vitamin B9 Optimer® to support worldwide
diagnostics, representing entry into a high-volume, socially impactful market.

 

Blue-Chip Partnership Portfolio Expanding

The Group continues to deepen relationships with world-leading commercial
partners, positioning multiple assets for near-term licensing conversion:

 

·      Unilever programmes advancing through development stages:
Stability assessment work on the first deodorant programme was successfully
completed and delivered, supporting the current on-skin testing phase. The
second programme targeting an additional pathway to prevent odour generation
is progressing well with positive internal results and imminent delivery to
Unilever for evaluation.

 

·      Alphazyme partnership demonstrates repeatable licensing:

o  Initial project successfully completed and converted into a non-exclusive
licensing agreement, with first commercial sales anticipated in H2 26.

o  Second discovery project with Alphazyme already completed, with
high-performance binders selected by the customer, which provides strong
potential for a second licensing agreement within the current financial year.

 

·      Top 3 pharmaceutical partner secured for radioligand development:
Major contract win that marks Aptamer's successful entry into rapidly growing
radioligand market with significant addressable market opportunity. This
represents a pivotal strategic milestone for the Group, validated by the
recent appointment of a radioligand specialist to Aptamer's Scientific
Advisory Board to support the Group's capabilities and ambitions in this
high-value sector.

 

·      Significant repeat business from top-tier pharmaceutical
partners: The period showed strong validation with £719,000 in new contracts
secured from a single top 5 pharmaceutical partner of which £314,000 has been
recognised as revenue to date. This new business represents over £1 million
in total contract value with this partner across the past two financial years,
alongside an additional repeat contract with a top 10 pharmaceutical company,
underscoring the commercial value and performance of the Optimer® platform.

 

·    Optimer® immunohistochemistry (IHC) reagents have been successfully
developed for an established global life sciences and diagnostics
conglomerate, with the potential to be integrated into assay kits this year
and agreed royalties of 2% on net sales of all products.

 

Proprietary Therapeutic Pipeline De-Risking

·      Internal testing of a fibrotic liver delivery vehicle has shown
excellent preclinical characteristics of being non-toxic, stable, and
non-immunogenic, which significantly de-risks its therapeutic potential.

 

·      Commencement of animal studies is anticipated this financial year
to demonstrate targeting performance and supporting active partnering
discussions for this potentially high-value therapeutic asset.

 

Delivering on strategy

During the period, the Group has made substantial progress delivering against
its stated strategic objectives:

·    Revenue growth delivered: 27% increase demonstrates continued
commercial traction;

·    Multiple licensing agreements signed: Validating the model to retain
IP and start delivering passive income through licensing;

·    Partnership portfolio strengthened: Expanded relationships with
global leaders across pharmaceutical, diagnostics, and consumer goods sectors;

·    IP portfolio enhanced: Growing library of proprietary assets creating
multiple licensing opportunities;

·    Financial trajectory improving: Combination of growing
fee-for-service revenue with emerging high-margin licensing income driving
operational leverage.

 

Aptamer has established clear momentum in enhancing its business model with
sustainable, recurring revenue streams. With multiple licensing agreements now
signed and generating income post period, a robust pipeline of partnered
licensing opportunities showing progression, and continued strong demand from
blue-chip partners, the Group is well-positioned to continue this positive
trajectory.

 

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer of Aptamer Group, commented: "This
has been an exceptional period for Aptamer as we deliver on our strategic
commitments to shareholders. The 27% revenue growth, combined with the signing
of multiple licensing agreements that are now generating immediate income,
demonstrates the commercial validation of the Group's platform and our ability
to execute against our stated objectives.

 

While this H1 update naturally focuses on near-term revenue and financial
metrics, it is important to remember the broader progress we are making across
the business. Our opportunity for major growth inflection is within our
growing licensing portfolio, including opportunities such as the radioligand
drug development project with the top 3 pharma partner.

 

All combined, this demonstrates not only the commercial use of our technology
but also our deepening partnerships with big pharma leaders, global consumer
goods companies and major health organisations. These relationships are not
just driving current cash flows but are building a foundation for long-term
shareholder value. Each fee-for-service project delivers immediate revenue
while simultaneously creating proprietary intellectual property and
opportunities that unlock potential future licensing revenue and create an
upward cycle of growth.

 

The quality of our partnerships and growing repeat business with top 10 pharma
partners builds a valuable dual revenue approach, which allows us to take
advantage of our operational leverage and positioning as a key leader in the
space. Each positive addition puts us one step closer to achieving our
strategic and financial objectives. Now, with multiple licensing opportunities
in advanced stages, a robust sales pipeline of over £3 million, and continued
strong demand from industry leaders, we are confident in our ability to
continue this positive trajectory and create substantial shareholder value."

 

- 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  
 Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Limited - Broker                  +44 (0) 20 3657 0050 

 Andrew Thacker / Guy McDougall
 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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