27 August 2025

Aptamer Group plc

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

Biomarker Discovery Service Launch

Accelerated platform delivers validated, drug-development-ready biomarkers

with Optimer® ligands in months, not years

New fee-for-service offering creates additional revenue stream in US$62.4bn global market

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the leading developer of next-generation synthetic binders delivering innovation to the life science industry, is pleased to announce the launch of its biomarker discovery service, creating a new fee-for-service revenue stream targeting the US$62.4 billion global biomarker discovery market.

Biomarkers are essential molecular indicators of physiological states, including disease presence and progression, and play a critical role in enabling targeted drug development, early diagnosis, treatment monitoring and safety assessment. The identification of new biomarkers is a key driver of innovation in healthcare, particularly in areas of high unmet medical need where the absence of suitable biomarkers has historically limited therapeutic and diagnostic advancement.

Aptamer's biomarker discovery service represents a transformative shift from traditional, time-intensive methods by harnessing its proprietary Optimer® technology in combination with advanced proteomic analysis, the large-scale study of proteins in a biological system. This approach enables rapid, unbiased identification of disease-specific biomarkers by differentiating healthy and diseased cell states at the molecular level.

Crucially, it not only identifies validated biomarkers but also simultaneously generates high-affinity binding molecules that are ready for immediate integration into commercial applications. This dual-output capability significantly accelerates development timelines for pharmaceutical research, biotechnology innovation and diagnostic test creation, offering a powerful solution for companies seeking to advance targeted therapies and enable earlier, more accurate disease detection.

Delivered under Aptamer's established fee-for-service model, the new biomarker discovery offering provides an immediate monetisation opportunity for the Company with minimal upfront investment and is expected to be revenue enhancing in the current financial year.

Operating within a large and growing market driven by the rise of precision medicine, the service is well-positioned to capture significant demand from pharmaceutical, biotech and diagnostic developers. Early interest has already been demonstrated following the successful internal application of the platform to identify the biomarker targeted by Aptamer's fibrotic liver delivery system - highlighting its potential to deliver faster, actionable insights and validating its commercial relevance.

Launching on a fee-for-service basis, the service enables pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners to accelerate R&D pipelines without significant capital expenditure, supporting Aptamer's revenue diversification strategy. More information about the service can be found here: https://aptamergroup.com/biomarker-discovery-service

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer of Aptamer Group, commented: "This new service builds on our core strength in applying Optimer® libraries to bind precisely to disease-relevant targets. Following our successful identification and validation of the biomarker for our fibrotic liver delivery system, we have seen strong interest from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies seeking novel drug targets to strengthen their intellectual property positions.

Our approach enables the discovery of functional biomarkers in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods, which often take years of screening. With two additional biomarker discovery projects already progressing in the lab, we are excited to support our partners in accelerating the development of new treatments and diagnostics, while expanding the commercial impact of our Optimer® platform."

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About Aptamer Group

Aptamer Group is a leading developer of next-generation synthetic binders delivering innovation to the life sciences industry. The Group develops Optimer® binders, advanced molecules that work like antibodies by attaching to specific targets in the body. These binders are used in medicine, diagnostic tests, and research tools, offering benefits like high stability, reliable performance, and lower costs compared to traditional antibodies.

Aptamer operates a fee-for-service business in the US$210 billion market for antibody alternatives, working with all top 10 global pharmaceutical companies. It is also building valuable Optimer® assets with partners, aiming for future licensing revenue.

Founded in 2008, the Group listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market in December 2021 and is headquartered in York, UK.

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