10 May 2023

Aptamer Group plc

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

Directorate Changes

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer^® binders to enable innovation in the life sciences industry, today announces that Dr. Arron Tolley has left his position as Chief Executive Officer and Board Director, with immediate effect. He will leave his employment with the Group after a period of garden leave.  As a consequence, the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Ian Gilham, will assume the role of interim Executive Chairman, and current Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Rob Quinn, will now also assume the role of interim CEO. A search for a full-time CEO will begin immediately.

Ian Gilham is an experienced CEO and Chairman of life science companies. He is Chairman of AIM company Genedrive plc and was Chairman, including for an interim period, Executive Chairman, of Horizon Discovery, which was listed on AIM, until its acquisition by Perkin Elmer for £296 million. Prior to that, he was CEO of Main Market diagnostics company, Axis-Shield plc, which was acquired for £230 million by Alere Inc.. Rob Quinn is an experienced life sciences executive with highly relevant scientific experience working with publicly listed biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including as CFO of Silence Therapeutics. 

Dr. Ian Gilham, Executive Chairman of Aptamer Group, commented: "I'd like to thank Arron for his achievements in building a company that is now providing its leading aptamer solutions to 15 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world. Alongside building the Optimer platform he has scaled the business through significant operational and corporate milestones, most significantly its AIM listing in December 2021. On behalf of the Board, I wish him well in the future. 

"The Board is now focused on appointing an appropriate successor who will be able to lead Aptamer's next phase of development and build on the foundations of the business to deliver shareholder value in the long term."

Dr. Rob Quinn, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, said: "I recognise the immense power of Aptamer Group's technology and the impact it can have across the life sciences industry and I would like to thank Arron for everything he has contributed to the Company. I look forward to working closely with Ian, the wider management team and the Board as we look to drive revenues, grow the business, and to deliver value for shareholders."

- ENDS -

For further information, please contact:

Aptamer Group plc

Dr Rob Quinn                                                                                           +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

Phil Walker / 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]

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

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.