Aptamer Group of York looks to 2026 with confidence

The life-sciences company is closing out 2025 on a high, reporting sustained commercial progress, growing repeat business from major pharmaceutical partners, and a strengthened financial position ahead of the new year.

Following a significant restructuring in 2023, the AIM-listed firm has says it has reshaped itself into a more agile, commercially focused organisation centred on its Optimer® platform, synthetic antibody alternatives increasingly recognised by leading pharmaceutical companies for their advantages in diagnostics, therapeutics, and bioprocessing.

Aptamer’s commercial momentum accelerated through 2025, with the company actively engaged with multiple top 10 global pharmaceutical companies through a series of notable contract wins, partnerships and repeat orders.

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These contributed to an order book of £1.95 million for FY26, secured with seven months remaining, giving the company strong confidence that revenues will materially exceed the prior year.

Recent highlights include a fourth consecutive contract with a top-five pharma company for neurological bioanalysis, and a new agreement to deliver Optimer® binders targeting a key protein in acute myeloid leukaemia.

These sit alongside a £360,000 radiopharmaceutical contract with a top-three global pharma partner, which could advance from reagent development into a therapeutic programme, an example of Aptamer’s strategy to transition Optimer® assets into higher-value licensing and royalty opportunities.

This momentum was further strengthened last week with the announcement of Aptamer’s first licensing agreement, a non-exclusive deal with US genomics leader Twist Bioscience to commercialise an enzyme-modulating Optimer® binder for hot-start PCR and next-generation sequencing applications.

Aptamer’s collaborations with industry leaders continued in 2025. Work with AstraZeneca has focused on advancing Optimer® technology for fibrotic liver disease, while a long-standing partnership with Unilever continues to demonstrate the versatility of Optimers® across consumer health and personal care innovation.

Aptamer and Neuro-Bio are collaborating to develop a revolutionary, non-invasive diagnostic test for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. These partnerships Aptamer says highlight the platform’s broad commercial relevance and its growing validation among major global innovators.

Operationally, Aptamer strengthened its foundations in 2025. A £1.8 million fundraising in July expanded laboratory automation, increased in-house manufacturing and is supporting AI development.

In August, the company launched its Biomarker Discovery Service, opening additional revenue opportunities in high-value markets.

Key collaborations with York-based Metir plc and Scottish biotech Invizius to develop Optimers for several high-value therapeutic indications, reflecting Aptamer’s commitment to both national innovation and local partnerships.

Despite wider sector challenges such as tighter global funding and extended development timelines, Aptamer says its sharpened strategic focus, streamlined workflows and stronger partner engagement have underpinned progress.

Dr Arron Tolley, CEO of Aptamer Group, said: “2025 has demonstrated the growing commercial and strategic value of the Optimer® platform. Repeat business from top-tier pharmaceutical companies highlights the trust being placed in our technology and supports our long-term licensing ambitions.

“With £1.95 million of signed contracts already secured for FY26 and a strong pipeline, we are confident of continuing to build momentum into 2026.”

Backed by a strengthened balance sheet, a rapidly expanding Optimer® asset portfolio and rising global visibility within the US$210 billion antibody-alternatives market, Aptamer added it is entering 2026 in its strongest position yet, poised to unlock long-term value and accelerate innovation within York’s thriving biotech cluster.