THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED BY THE COMPANY TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014 AS IT FORMS PART OF DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 ("EUWA"). UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA THE REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

17 January 2022

Aptamer Group plc

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

OPTIMER BINDER SHOWN TO DETECT OMICRON VARIANT

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer^® binders to enable innovation in the life sciences industry, announces that its Optimer binder to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, developed using the Company's proprietary discovery and development platform, has been proven to detect the Omicron variant.

Laboratory-based in vitro tests by Aptamer Group have shown that its Optimer binder developed in 2020 exhibits high affinity for the SARS-CoV-2 S1 Spike protein of the Omicron protein variant in the low nanomolar (nM) range, a characteristic known to drive sensitivity within diagnostic assays. The binder shows comparable affinity to all World Health Organisation (WHO) designated variants of concern. Aptamer is offering this reagent to diagnostic developers to enable new diagnostic assays and improve the sensitivity of current COVID-19 diagnostics.

The Optimer binder capable of detecting all viral variants of concern is currently used as part of Deepverge's clinically validated MicrotoxPD platform for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. In addition, proof-of-concept work by a separate partner in 2021 demonstrated that the binder can function within an antibody-Optimer pair to enable rapid antigen lateral flow tests.  

Aptamer Group's proprietary high-throughput, automated Optimer platform generates custom affinity binders for use as antibody alternatives. These binders are enabling new solutions for partners across therapeutics, diagnostics, and research sectors. Aptamer Group generates revenue by supplying Optimer binding reagents to third parties and from the resulting royalties and licensing arrangements.  

Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer of Aptamer Group, commented: "Optimer binders are being explored by our partners across the diagnostic industry for a range of conditions, one of which is COVID-19. Optimers offer key advantages for use in diagnostics, including their excellent target recognition, consistent supply and the lack of requirement for cold chain logistics for these reagents. Aptamer is delighted that we are able to offer this Optimer binder to diagnostic developers to enable increased the sensitivity of current tests and the development of new tests for COVID-19 infection, including the Omicron variant."

- ENDS -

For further information, please contact:

Aptamer Group plc

Dr Arron Tolley - CEO /

Eleanor Brown (formerly Courtman-Stock) - CFO                       +44 (0) 1904 56 7790                 

Liberum Capital Limited - Broker

Richard Lindley / Ben Cryer / Will Hall / Cara Murphy                 +44 (0) 20 3100 2000

SPARK Advisory Partners Limited - Nominated Adviser  

Andrew Emmott                                                                           +44 (0) 20 3368 3550

Consilium Strategic Communications

Matthew Neal / Sukaina Virji / Lucy Featherstone           +44 (0) 20 3709 5700

                                                                                    [email protected]

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.