Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), a developer of next-generation synthetic binders, revealed on Wednesday that it has secured a GBP360,000 development contract with a top three global pharmaceutical company to engineer Optimer binders for targeted radiopharmaceutical applications. The agreement marks Aptamer's entry into the USD7.5bn targeted radiopharmaceuticals market and strengthens its position in therapeutic development.

Under the fee-for-service contract, Aptamer will develop Optimers targeting an undisclosed cancer marker for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging, with potential expansion into therapeutic applications. The company retains rights to future licensing and royalty revenues upon commercialisation.

Aptamer also reported strong commercial progress in the first quarter of FY26, securing an additional GBP315,000 in new contracts and extensions, bringing total new commitments to GBP675,000. Combined with GBP350,000 of carried-over work from FY25, the company has visibility on approximately GBP1.03m in contracted revenue for the current year.

Recent agreements include extensions with a top five global pharmaceutical company on an ELISA project, bulk synthesis of an enzyme inhibitor linked to a potential licensing deal, and a therapeutic collaboration with Invizius to develop Optimer binders targeting complement system components.

Aptamer's fee-for-service sales pipeline remains strong at GBP3.4m, reflecting sustained demand from major pharmaceutical and biotech partners.

Headquartered in York, UK, and listed on AIM since December 2021, Aptamer Group develops Optimer binders as high-performance, cost-efficient alternatives to antibodies for therapeutic, diagnostic and research applications, collaborating with all top ten global pharmaceutical companies.