22nd Aug 2025 13:30
(Alliance News) - Aptamer Group PLC shares jumped on Friday as the firm said it has made progress across its enzyme modulation projects, including advancing its second inhibitor to the final development stage.
In response, Aptamer shares jumped 18% to 0.74 pence each in London on Friday afternoon.
The developer of synthetic binders to the life science industry said it has received initial sales forecasts from its first partner for the first commercial enzyme inhibitor for "one specific application area".
It said a 10-year non-exclusive licensing deal is at an advance stage of negotiation and is forecast to cover around 15% of Aptamer's annual overhead through passive income over the next three years.
"This forecast is subject to the partner achieving its projected sales targets, with commercial sales anticipated to begin before the end of the year," Aptamer added.
The firm said it is continuing to advance licensing discussions with a second partner, which is a "growing global distributor of enzymes" for non-exclusive access to an enzyme-modulating product.
Sales forecasts are being finalised for the second agreement, Aptamer added.
The company said it has signed a material transfer agreement with a third partner to allow it to evaluate the technology.
"This agreement positions the company for a potential third non-exclusive licence in this area, further demonstrating the growing interest in Optimer binders for enzyme modulation applications and demand for new solutions in this field," the firm said.
Aptamer said it has advanced a second enzyme inhibitor project to the final development stage.
It said discussions are underway regarding a second licensing deal for the reagent, which would expand its portfolio to include two separate enzyme modulation technologies.
Aptamer added that it has received "extremely positive feedback from a top five global pharmaceutical partner" on their evaluation of the Optimer.
It said Optimer "significantly outperformed" all previously tested antibodies.
As a result, the customer has placed repeat orders of the Optimer to expand internal testing and evaluation, Aptamer added.
"The progress across our enzyme modulation projects, including the advancement to the final development stage on our second inhibitor, is a really exciting milestone. The sales forecasts for our first commercial enzyme highlight the tangible value our Optimer platform can deliver, potentially covering a meaningful portion of the group's overhead through royalty income. With an MTA now in place with a major global distributor, we are well-positioned for additional non-exclusive licenses," said Chief Executive Officer Arron Tolley.
"With growing commercial interest from global partners, including one of the world's top five pharmaceutical companies, we are confident that our Optimer platform is well-positioned to deliver long-term shareholder value through recurring royalty revenues and strategic licensing opportunities."
By Michael Hennessey, Alliance News reporter
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