Aptamer Group plc

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

Partnership with Microsaic Systems plc for Optimer-enabled water monitoring

-       New binders will be developed to multiple waterborne pathogens

-       Optimer will support continuous water monitoring for rapid detection

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer^® binders to enable innovation in the life sciences industry, announces a partnership with Microsaic Systems plc (Microsaic) to develop a panel of Optimer binders for integration into a water testing system.

Microsaic has recently purchased the Microtox^® water testing system. Earlier work with Aptamer's COVID-19 Optimer binders and this water testing system showed successful integration and function of the Optimer in the pathogen detector and superior detection performance compared to alternative affinity ligands, such as Affimers. Successful trials have previously taken place using the Optimer-enabled pathogen detectors for COVID-19 within the UK wastewater system. Following the Microtox^® acquisition, Microsaic intends to further develop the device to commerciality using a panel of Optimer binders that specifically detect several major waterborne pathogens. 

Aptamer has reached Heads of Terms with Microsaic for the development of a panel of Optimer binders to advance the water testing system. Aptamer Group will develop a number of new Optimer binders to common waterborne pathogens, such as E.coli, Cholera, Cryptosporidium, Legionella and Norovirus. Following development, the binders will be available for integration into the water pathogen detectors for the rapid and sensitive detection of multiple pathogens of serious concern to public health. This continuous water testing solution will allow the detection of pathogens in real-time, without delays associated with sending samples for laboratory-based testing, and has shown to be simply integrated with nationwide water systems for early detection of potential infections. 

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Technical Officer of Aptamer Group, said: "We are pleased to work with Microsaic and support their development of the water testing system. Applying the pathogen detector within national water systems could help prevent disease outbreaks by rapidly identifying specific hotspots. The robust nature of Optimer binders means that they can work within tests as diverse as lab-based diagnostics and environmental water monitoring. Previous work has demonstrated that Optimer binders allow highly sensitive pathogen detection in the wastewater testing system, and we are pleased to build on this with the new team at Microsaic as they advance the platform to commerciality. " 

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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 $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.