Last checked at 13 Feb 2023 07:00
13 February 2023
Aptamer Group plc
("Aptamer", the "Company" or the "Group")
Appointment of Chief Financial Officer
Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer® binders to enable innovation in the life sciences industry, today announces the appointment of Rob Quinn as Chief Financial Officer and as an Executive Director of the Board, effective from 1 March 2023.
Rob brings a wealth of both scientific and financial experience with particular expertise in publicly listed biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. From 2019-2021 he was CFO of Silence Therapeutics, an AIM-listed biotech company developing siRNA oligonucleotide technology to treat disease, where he oversaw the growth of the company from a $50m to $500m market capitalisation and a dual listing on Nasdaq. Rob was subsequently CFO at BenevolentAI until January 2022, an AI-driven drug discovery engine, where he played a key role in the company's European reverse merger into a SPAC listed on Euronext Amsterdam. Most recently, Rob was CFO at Pharnext, a biotech company listed on Euronext Paris.
Rob has a BSc in Cell and Molecular Biology from University College Dublin and a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Manchester. He is an Associate of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "I am very pleased to welcome Rob to the team at Aptamer as permanent CFO. Rob's background in the oligonucleotide space and experience as a CFO of AIM listed companies made him an ideal fit for this role. I look forward to working closely with him as we look to meet the rapidly expanding demand for antibody alternatives, deliver the next generation of our Optimer platform, and win global contracts across the life sciences sector.
"It has been a pleasure working with Jenny Cutler, who has served as interim CFO over the past six months. On behalf of the entire team and Board at Aptamer, I'd like to express our thanks for her guidance and efforts during an important period for the business."
Rob Quinn, Chief Financial Officer, said: "I am delighted to join Aptamer at this exciting phase in the Company's development. The range of applications for the Optimer platform is impressive, and I look forward to working with Arron and the rest of the team as we look to drive growth, maintain commercial momentum and further develop the Company's technology."
Disclosures pursuant to Schedule 2 paragraph (g) of AIM rules:
Full Name: Robert Quinn
Age: 40
Robert Quinn holds no ordinary shares in the Company
Current directorships and/or partnerships | Former directorships and/or partnerships (within the last five years): |
None | Stratified Medical Limited BenevolentAI Energy Limited Silence Therapeutics Inc
|
- 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 / Mark Brady / Adam Dawes +44 (0) 20 3368 3550
Liberum Capital Limited - Broker
Richard Lindley / Ben Cryer / 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.