ON AIR NOW:

York life sciences pioneer Aptamer Group embarks on latest phase of Alzheimer’s testing work

Life sciences firm Aptamer Group says it has started the latest phase of a project to help create lateral flow tests to detect Alzheimer’s disease.

The York-based plc has been working with Oxfordshire-based neurodegenerative disease specialist Neuro-Bio to create tests that can pick up indicative biomarkers. Aptamer’s contribution is developing ‘Optimer binders’ – specialist DNA molecules that can bind to targets.

Neuro-Bio is hoping to create an early detection test that could help prevent the onset of the disease which causes devastating memory loss and confusion in patients. The Abingdon firm is also creating a complementary therapy it says could stabilise progression of the disease, ideally in diagnosed patients who are at the pre-symptomatic stage.

Read more: Dairy firm Arla suffers as shoppers seek out cheaper products

Read more: Humber hydrogen project H2H Saltend secures planning permission

Steve Hull, chairman of Aptamer Group, said: “We are very pleased to continue our exciting relationship with Neuro-Bio to deliver the specific Optimer binders needed to enable this revolutionary diagnostic for this devastating disease. It is great to work with such enthusiastic partners that understand our Optimer technology’s benefits and are actively seeking solutions to overcome the industry’s problems with antibodies.”

Baroness Susan Greenfield, CEO of Neuro-Bio, said: “At Neuro-Bio we’re thrilled at entering this next phase of development with Aptamer Group: the first phase proved productive and very promising. Now, this next stage takes us closer to realising a highly novel and much needed technology for detecting neurodegenerative diseases at a very early stage.”

Earlier this month Aptamer Group said that it had built a long lead-time pipeline of opportunities with first half 2024 revenues expected to be around £300,000. The biotech business has weathered a turbulent time in which it sought urgent funding and underwent a management change, including the return of co-founder Dr Arron Tolley, last summer.

In a half year trading update to the London Stock Exchange, Aptamer said it had £1.4m of signed deals either being or to be processed through the laboratory. It also pointed to negotiations around £2m in medium-term deals and £8m in longer-term deals.

Original artice – https://business-live.co.uk/all-about/yorkshire-humber

Scroll to Top