Agreement to Explore Optimer Vehicles for Targeted Delivery of siRNA

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), a developer of novel Optimer® binders for the life sciences industry, announces a new agreement with AstraZeneca to evaluate Optimer fibrotic liver delivery vehicles for targeted siRNA delivery.

Encouraged by positive results with Aptamer's fibrotic liver delivery vehicles, the collaboration will explore the non-viral delivery vehicle's potential with a tool siRNA. AstraZeneca will provide siRNA for trials with Aptamer's Optimer-based vehicle targeting fibrotic liver cells. Aptamer Group will conduct in-house experiments to assess effectiveness, aiming to generate demonstrator data in animal models for AstraZeneca's evaluation.

Targeted delivery of siRNA to specific cell types remains a challenge, but the siRNA market was valued at over $13 billion in 2023. Optimer technology, offering high selectivity, affinity, and simple conjugation, could revolutionize siRNA delivery as non-viral vectors, leading to novel compounds with significant advantages over current methods.

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Technical Officer of Aptamer Group, said: "We are really excited to work with AstraZeneca to evaluate and optimise our Optimer delivery vehicles. Partnerships such as this will enable Aptamer Group to make rapid progress in this area, which is a key focus for Optimer technology. Targeted delivery to specific cell types remains a critical unmet need in many applications within the tissue targeting space and, as such, has been part of our strategic focus to support the development of binders with the potential for long-term, high value. Our initial dataset in Optimer targeted delivery has raised significant interest from multiple parties. We are eager to advance to animal model testing and delighted to continue collaborating with AstraZeneca in this endeavour. Reaching proof of principle in animal models will derisk the Optimer delivery platform and bring us closer to delivering targeted and effective gene therapies for patients."

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.