REG - Aptamer Group PLC - Aptamer extends contract with Unilever

AptamerAnnouncement

03/09/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 6132C  Aptamer Group PLC  03 September 2024

     3 September 2024

 

Aptamer Group plc

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

Aptamer extends contract with Unilever to progress Optimer for deodorant
development

-    Lab-test results of Optimer indicate good applicability in deodorant
products

-    Contract extended to allow next phase of development in partnership

-    Plans to initiate in-vivo efficacy testing with Optimer in 2024

 

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer(®) binders to
enable innovation in the life sciences industry, is pleased to announce an
extension of its partnership with Unilever to enter a new phase aimed at
initiating in-vivo efficacy testing of Optimer binders as active ingredients
in deodorants.

 

Initiated in 2022, the partnership between Aptamer and Unilever aims to
develop Optimer binders as part of novel deodorant products. The current
market value for deodorants is in excess of $21 billion per annum and growing
at 4.5% (CAGR for the next 5 years). Unilever is the leader in the deodorant
market, with over 30% market share - an increase of over 20% compared to its
nearest competitor. The use of active ingredients such as Optimer binders
within deodorant products is highly novel within the market and holds the
potential for enhanced efficacy for consumer products.

 

The current contract extension follows successful lab-based tests of the
Optimer binders and allows the partnership to progress to planned in-vivo
activity studies for the Optimer binders before the end of 2024. Aptamer Group
successfully developed the Optimer binders, targeting the C-S Lyase bacterial
enzyme, which is critical in the generation of axillary odour. The binders
have undergone extensive laboratory testing at both Aptamer's and Unilever's
facilities, demonstrating consistent and effective inhibition of the enzyme.
This progress signifies the potential application of the Optimers in deodorant
products. Additionally, Aptamer Group has refined these binders to enhance
their efficacy as potential active ingredients and to improve their
manufacturability for Unilever's production processes.

 

Unilever will continue to progress the developed Optimer binders through
rigorous internal testing. It plans to initiate in-vivo efficacy studies
before the end of 2024. A successful outcome from these trials will then lead
to next steps in the partnership.

 

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer of Aptamer Group, said: "The
continued advancement of our Optimer binders in collaboration with Unilever is
a significant milestone for Aptamer Group. It showcases the versatility of our
technology in providing unique solutions across new sectors, including
cosmetics. We have collaborated closely with Unilever to develop these
binders, and we are excited to see the strides being made towards their use in
these novel deodorant applications. With efficacy testing on the horizon, we
are optimistic about bringing these binders to market in the coming years and
look forward to discussing commercial opportunities with Unilever upon
successful trial outcomes."

 

Dr Sam Samaras, Senior Vice President R&D, Unilever: This contract
extension with Aptamer Group reflects the positive nature of the data
generated thus far. This is the first time that Unilever has examined the
impact of Optimer binders in cosmetic applications and the data so far have
shown encouraging results. We will now progress to in-vivo testing of the
developed materials to examine their impact, fully formulated, using our
state-of-the-art in-house panel of experts. This utilisation of Optimers in
the cosmetic space represents a novel application for this class of materials
and we will continue to engage with the world class team at Aptamer Group to
explore additional opportunities.

 

- ENDS -

 

 

 

 

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

 Aptamer Group plc                                            +44 (0) 1904 217 404

 Adam Hargreaves
 SPARK Advisory Partners Limited - Nominated Adviser          +44 (0) 20 3368 3550

 Andrew Emmott / Adam Dawes
 Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Limited - Broker               +44 (0) 20 3657 0050

 James Pope / Andrew Thacker

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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