Aptamer Group Secures Major Pharma Contract, Expanding Optimer Binders into Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals Market
- Oct 8
- 2 min read
In a significant move reinforcing the commercial momentum of next-generation synthetic binders, Aptamer Group plc has announced a major development contract with a top three global pharmaceutical company. This Major Pharma Contract is valued at £360,000 and is structured as a fee-for-service agreement.
The contract centers on engineering the company’s proprietary Optimer® binders for use as targeted radiopharmaceuticals. These radiopharmaceuticals are being developed for potential therapeutic applications. Importantly, Aptamer retains the rights for future licensing revenues following commercialization, positioning the company for potential downstream licensing and/or royalty revenue streams.
This strategic program involves developing Optimers targeting an undisclosed cancer target. The initial phase will concentrate on creating tools for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging, with a clear view toward translating this work into therapeutic applications.
The expansion of Aptamer’s Optimer® technology into this domain is timely, as the targeted radiopharmaceuticals market is already substantial, valued at $7.5 billion in 2025. Aptamer-based radiopharmaceuticals have a recognized role in targeted imaging and therapy of epithelial tumors, and the broader application of aptamer-based technology is viewed as a promising weapon against cancer in both imaging and targeted therapy.
The Optimer® platform offers several key advantages suitable for this specialized area, including ease of chemical optimization, reduced immunogenicity, and enhanced tumour penetration.
Dr. Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer of Aptamer Group, emphasized the importance of this win, stating that the significant contract win marks a key expansion of the platform into targeted radiopharmaceuticals and potential therapeutics. Dr. Tolley identified this as a value inflection point, noting that Aptamer now has two potential therapeutic assets under development, alongside targeted gene therapy. The company continues to experience strong interest from biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners across its core capability areas.
Beyond this major radiopharmaceutical contract, Aptamer Group has also demonstrated the breadth of its Optimer® applications through several other programs. These include ongoing synthesis and development work supporting multiple pharmaceutical licensing negotiations, project extensions with a top five global pharmaceutical company for diagnostic ELISA development, and a therapeutic development agreement with Invizius Limited to develop Optimer® binders aimed at complement system components for inflammatory disease treatments. These varying contracts span the research tool, diagnostic, and therapeutic application sectors within life sciences.
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