(Alliance News) – Aptamer Group PLC announced Thursday that it has partnered with Neuro-Bio Ltd. has entered the second phase of the development of Optimer binders for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Shares in Aptamer rose 14% to 0.72 pence apiece in London on Thursday afternoon.
York, England-based biotechnology company Aptamer said this is part of its ongoing partnership with Neuro-Bio, an Oxfordshire-based biotechnology company with a therapeutic focus on neurodegenerative diseases.
Aptamer said this latest phase involves the development of an additional Optimer binder against the innovative neuro-bio target implicated in Alzheimer’s disease, with the aim of providing reagents for a lateral flow assay for early detection of the disease to develop.
Following the previous identification of Optimer binders for this novel Alzheimer’s biomarker, these binders have been “characterized for use in lateral flow and biosensor assays,” according to Aptamer.
“Common lateral flow test formats require a pair of binders to increase diagnostic test accuracy. To avoid the need for animal-derived antibodies in Alzheimer’s diagnostics, Neuro-Bio must now develop additional binders to support the lateral flow test format and deliver a fully Optimer-powered test,” the company said.
“Because Optimer’s binders are oligonucleotide-based rather than protein-based like antibodies, they offer additional benefits such as manufacturing scalability, improved shelf life and tunability benefits, making reagents more stable and specific for use in lateral flow tests will enable.”
Apatamer’s Chairman, Steve Hull, commented: “We are delighted to continue our exciting collaboration with Neuro-Bio to deliver the specific Optimer binders needed for this revolutionary diagnosis for this devastating disease. It is great to to work with such enthusiastic partners who understand the benefits of our Optimer technology and are actively seeking solutions to overcome the industry’s antibody challenges.”
Susan Greenfield, Chief Executive Officer of Neuro-Bio, added: “The first phase was productive and very promising. This next phase brings us closer to realizing a highly novel and urgently needed technology for the detection of neurodegenerative diseases at a very early stage.”
By Greg Rosenvinge, senior reporter at Alliance News
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