11 March 2024

Aptamer Group plc

("Aptamer" or the "Company")

      Aptamer Group progresses partnership with Unilever plc ("Unilever")

-  Successful Optimer^® development for fast-moving consumer goods

-  The partnership has advanced to warrant the patenting of the new binders

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer^® binders to enable innovation in the life sciences industry, today announces the successful progression of its long-standing development partnership with Unilever for identification of Optimers capable of supporting the development of novel fast moving consumer goods ("FMCG") applications.  

Following formation of a partnership with Unilever in FY2023, Aptamer has successfully developed the required Optimers and demonstrated their performance through in-house assays. After being shipped to Unilever, the Optimers delivered highly positive and reproducible results in their laboratories, indicating their potential for use in downstream products. In parallel, Aptamer has streamlined the Optimers to improve their function and manufacturability and is working to transfer these to Unilever for further evaluation.

Based on the successful progress of this scientific work, Aptamer and Unilever are now drafting patent applications to protect these developments and downstream commercial applications.

Steve Hull, Chairman of Aptamer Group, said: "We are delighted to support our partners at Unilever with Optimer technology that is providing novel solutions in multiple areas, now including fast-moving consumer goods. Over the past two years, we have worked closely with the team at Unilever, to develop successful binders and are pleased to see the promising results the binders are delivering in their laboratories, further validating our technology and leadership position in the affinity ligand market. With such strong results and the continued progression of this partnership, we are pleased to begin patenting these binders and allow the next stage of advances. I look forward to updating you on this project as it develops."

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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.

Optimer binders are oligonucleotide affinity ligands that can function as an antibody alternative. The global affinity ligand market is currently worth over US$170 billion.

Aptamer has successfully delivered projects for a range of global pharma companies, diagnostic development companies, and research institutes, covering multiple application areas with the objective of establishing royalty-bearing licenses.