REG - Aptamer Group PLC - Partnership with Microsaic Systems

AptamerAnnouncement

14/06/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 4146S  Aptamer Group PLC  14 June 2024

     14 June 2024

 

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. "

- ENDS -

 

For further information, please contact:

 

 Aptamer Group plc                                            +44 (0) 1904 217 404

 Steve Hull
 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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