REG - Aptamer Group PLC - Rapid testing programme for fortified foods

AptamerAnnouncement

Today 07:00

For best results when printing this announcement, please click on link below:
https://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20260608:nRSH2889Ha&default-theme=true

RNS Number : 2889H  Aptamer Group PLC  08 June 2026

 

8 June 2026

Aptamer Group plc

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

 

Aptamer initiates rapid testing programme for fortified foods

Collaboration with Imperial College London to translate Aptamer's folic acid
Optimers into rapid testing kit for monitoring food fortification

Programme supported by the Gates Foundation

 

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of next‑generation synthetic
binders for the life sciences industry, is pleased to announce a new funded
research programme with Imperial College London, supported by the Gates
Foundation.

 

Aptamer has contracted an upfront fee to develop field-compatible sample
preparation and extraction methods using its existing folic acid Optimer®
binders, and to supply those binders to the Güder Research Group in the
Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London for incorporation into
lateral flow devices.

 

Aptamer has proposed a further commercial licence fee upon successful field
validation of the assay, enabling the programme to provide these lateral flow
devices globally. Beyond this, Aptamer anticipates additional commercial value
through an ongoing supply of Optimer® materials for device manufacture.

 

Folic acid deficiency is a leading preventable cause of serious birth defects,
such as Spina Bifida. Many lower-income countries rely on food fortification
programmes as a primary public health intervention. However, no rapid test
kits currently exist for measuring folate levels in fortified foods at the
point of production. This programme aims to address that unmet need,
developing an affordable, field-deployable solution capable of operating
without cold chain infrastructure or specialist equipment in the food
processing facilities where fortification takes place.

 

The programme will investigate the suitability of Aptamer's existing
proprietary Optimer® binders for folic acid to develop an affordable,
field-deployable lateral flow test for monitoring folate levels in fortified
foods in developing countries, with potential for commercial application of
Aptamer's existing intellectual property.

 

Aptamer expects to complete its in-house validation work in July 2026, at
which point validated Optimer® binders will be transferred to Imperial
College London. Imperial College London will then lead the incorporation of
the validated binders into lateral flow tests, with field-based validation
anticipated by the end of 2026.

 

Aptamer will supply Optimer® material throughout the development phase and
potential ongoing supply to support ongoing device manufacture following
successful field deployment. Aptamer retains full ownership of its Optimer®
IP with no rights ceded.

 

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer of Aptamer Group, commented: "We look
forward to collaborating with Imperial College London and the Gates Foundation
on this critical initiative. Our Optimer® technology offers a powerful tool
for improving food quality monitoring in resource-limited settings. Together,
we aim to deliver a practical solution that can have a meaningful impact on
maternal and child health worldwide".

 

- 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 / Dillon Wall 
 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/)

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  CNTUNUORNWUNRAR



            Copyright 2019 Regulatory News Service, all rights reserved