20 March 2023

Aptamer Group plc

("Aptamer", or " the Group")

Aptamer launches Optimer^®-Fc as a new reagent solution for immunohistochemistry

-       Existing pipeline of IHC work including potential trials with Optimer^®-Fc with two top 10 pharma companies

-       Aptamer is currently working with one of the top three IHC company to validate the Optimer-Fc platform

-       IHC Optimer binders are being developed for several other pharma and biotech customers

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer^® binders to enable innovation in the life sciences industry, announces that it has developed a new reagent, Optimer®-Fc, for use in automated immunohistochemistry (IHC) workflows.

Aptamer is working with one of the top three companies within the IHC market (that jointly command over 70% of the market) to validate the performance of Optimer-Fc within their automated IHC platform and is in current negotiations with two top 10 pharmaceutical companies seeking to trial Optimer-Fc. Aptamer is also currently working with four of the top ten pharma companies and additional biotech partners to develop Optimer binders for IHC - a deep pipeline of potential future products to advance research and diagnostics for the benefits of life science.

IHC remains the gold standard test for clinical diagnostics (including cancer), and its use is increasing with the advent of personalised medicine approaches. The IHC market was valued at $2.3BN in 2021, with 45.5% accounted for by the antibody segment. However, the imminent expiry of current patents for IHC antibodies is a significant challenge facing the major players in this field, with an expected decrease in revenue and profitability. Innovative products, such as Optimer-Fc, are actively being sought to overcome these issues.

Optimer-Fc tools consist of an Optimer binder conjugated to the Fc domain of an antibody. The Company has successfully demonstrated the functional integration of different Optimer binders into this conjugate format. This allows the broad target range of Optimer tools to be applied in IHC applications. IHC is a staining process predominantly done on fresh or frozen clinical tissue samples removed during a biopsy. IHC is used to detect if cells have cancer or other disease markers. The Optimer-Fc is an antibody alternative for use within existing workflows replacing the primary, detecting, antibody. Capitalising on the highly selective and tuneable nature of Optimer binders, this development will enable life scientists to pursue novel and existing disease biomarkers and offer increased accuracy and selectivity in detection, with the generation of a suite of new reagents to enable improved research, diagnostics, and forensics.

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Our new Optimer-Fc meets an urgent need for the IHC market to develop new patentable reagents. Over the past several months, we have innovated to support this market need, and developed and validated our new platform to develop these reagents. We have already seen keen interest from major companies within the IHC space and top pharma. This demonstrates the need and applicability of aptamers for such tools. We are now actively working with these partners to supply and support them in the use of Optimer-Fc. Optimer-Fc offers the ability to pursue new targets, that have proven previously intractable with antibodies, and improve assay selectivity. We anticipate this will open up further opportunities for emerging biomarkers in research and diagnostics, which could further increase the potential of our new IHC tools."

- 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

[email protected]

About Aptamer Group plc

Aptamer 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 affinity ligand market is currently worth over $170 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 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 can make faster, more informed decisions that support discovery and development across the Life Sciences.