Last checked at 24 Feb 2022 07:00
24 February 2022
Aptamer Group plc
("Aptamer", the "Company" or the "Group")
HALF YEAR TRADING UPDATE AND NOTICE OF RESULTS
Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer® binders to enable innovation in the life sciences industry, today announces a trading update for the six months ended 31 December 2021 (H1 22). The Company will release its interim results on 31 March 2022.
Sales for H1 22 were as expected and increased to £1.37 million (H1 2021: £485,000). H2 22 has started well; accordingly, FY 22 results are anticipated to be in line with the Board's expectations.
During the period, Aptamer added to its partner portfolio with new agreements across all business units. Contracts were signed with WuXi AppTec Research Services Division within therapeutics, ProAxsis within diagnostics, and within the services business unit, deals have been signed with a top five pharmaceutical company for bioanalytical reagents to support vaccine development, as well as with a public life science company to support proteomic analysis. Following the period end, the Group also signed a new contract with a precision oncology company for companion diagnostic development and have extended the agreement with PinotBio, following success in the initial stages of the project.
In H1 22, key milestones were also achieved in ongoing collaborations. Aptamer and Deepverge expanded their partnership to include the development of a new panel of Optimer® binders and negotiation of supply following successful Phase III trials of the Optimer®-enabled environmental monitoring system. In addition, the Group successfully completed initial development of Optimer® binders to support ValitaCell's next-generation biologic screening platform.
Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer of Aptamer Group, commented: "Following Aptamer's successful IPO on AIM in December, the Group has a robust financial base that will enable it to capitalise on the extensive next-generation affinity ligand market opportunity. In addition, the Group will scale up and automate our Optimer® platform to increase internal capacity and develop aptamers to support a larger customer base in H2 2022 and beyond. The second half of the year has started well, and the Group continues to build momentum across the business with new agreements in each of the business units, further demonstrating the power and diverse applicability of the Optimer® platform."
Interim results presentation and webcast
Aptamer Group's management team will be hosting an in person meeting and webcast and conference call for sell-side analysts at 11.30am on 31 March 2022. To register your interest in attending, please email aptamergroup@consilium-comms.com.
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For further information, please contact:
Aptamer Group plc
Dr Arron Tolley - CEO
Eleanor Brown (formerly Courtman-Stock) - CFO +44 (0) 1904 56 7790
Liberum - Broker
Richard Lindley / Ben Cryer / Will Hall / Cara Murphy +44 (0) 20 3100 2000
SPARK Advisory Partners Limited - Nominated Adviser
Andrew Emmott / Adam Dawes +44 (0) 20 3368 3550
Consilium Strategic Communications
Matthew Neal / Sukaina Virji / 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 $145bn. 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.