Last checked at 1 Dec 2022 07:00
1 December 2022
Aptamer Group plc
("Aptamer", the "Company" or the "Group")
Annual General Meeting Statement
Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer® binders to enable innovation in the life sciences industry, announces the following update from Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer, in advance of the Company's Annual General Meeting ('AGM') to be held today at 1:30pm GMT.
"2022 has been a transformational year for Aptamer Group with significant progress made towards our goal to capitalise on the market opportunity with aptamers across the life science sector. I am pleased to say that we are deploying the funds raised at IPO effectively and are now settling into our new, larger premises, which we were delighted to officially open on 25 November 2022 and celebrate the expansion of our business.
"Today I am pleased to report a selection of new contract wins which have the potential for future downstream royalties and milestone payments.
"In our Aptamer Therapeutics business, we have entered the second phase of our collaboration with Cancer Research UK to develop the delivery vehicle portion of the bispecific therapeutic Optimer binder for the treatment of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukaemia (CMML) and other myeloid malignancies. We've also signed an early stage deal to develop Optimers to block the activity of naturally occurring antibodies within the body for use as a potential therapy to prevent transplant rejection. The binders we generate may then support the development of a companion diagnostic panel, in addition to therapeutic use.
"Our Aptamer Solutions business has also seen significant progress since our full year results, with numerous new projects underway. Since the publication of the Group's full year results, we have signed deals with a number of companies related to the development of Optimer solutions for assays where antibodies are not meeting their specificity and selectivity requirements.
"We are working with a biomarker services company to develop Optimer binders to support multiplex biomarker assays for mass spectrometry analysis. The Optimer-based assays will deliver increased sensitivity in identifying and analysing neurodegenerative disease biomarkers to improve clinical trial outcomes in drug development.
"Finally, we've also signed a deal with Novavax, a vaccine developer for respiratory diseases, who require Optimers to improve the selectivity and enable multiplex analysis of their QC assays.
"Our healthy deal pipeline demonstrates the clear market opportunity and demand for Optimers and I'm encouraged that we will continue on our growth trajectory for the financial year.
"To conclude, I would like to thank all the Group's staff and shareholders for their continuing support, and we look forward to the rest of this financial year with confidence and enthusiasm."
- ENDS -
For further information, please contact:
Aptamer Group plc
Dr Arron Tolley +44 (0) 1904 217 404
SPARK Advisory Partners Limited - Nominated Adviser
Andrew Emmott / Adam Dawes +44 (0) 20 3368 3550
Liberum Capital Limited - Broker
Richard Lindley / Ben Cryer / Will Hall / Cara Murphy +44 (0) 20 3100 2000
Consilium Strategic Communications
Matthew Neal / Chris Welsh / Lucy Featherstone +44 (0) 20 3709 5700
aptamergroup@consilium-comms.com
About Aptamer Group plc
Aptamer Group develops custom affinity binders through its proprietary Optimer® platform to enable new approaches in therapeutics, diagnostics and research applications. The Company strives to deliver transformational solutions that meet the needs of life science researchers and developers through the use of its proprietary Optimer platform.
Optimer binders are oligonucleotide affinity ligands that can function as an antibody alternative. The global antibody market is currently worth over $145.0 billion. Optimer binders are engineered to address many of the issues found with alternative affinity molecules, such as antibodies, and offer new, innovative solutions to bioprocessing, diagnostic and pharmaceutical scientists.
Aptamer Group has successfully delivered projects for global pharma companies, diagnostic development companies, and research institutes covering a range of targets and applications with the objective of establishing royalty-bearing licenses. Through the unique Optimer technology and processes, scientists and collaborators are enabled to make faster, more informed decisions that support discovery and development across the Life Sciences.