Aptamer Group PLC (AIM:APTA), which develops binders used in life sciences, has launched Optimer-Fc, a new reagent solution designed for use in automated immunohistochemistry (IHC), a method of diagnosing certain diseases.
The new reagent is expected to advance research, diagnostics and forensics by offering increased accuracy and selectivity in detecting disease biomarkers.
Aptamer said it is currently working with one of the top three IHC companies in the field to validate the performance of Optimer-Fc within its automated IHC platform.
In addition, the company is negotiating with two top 10 pharmaceutical companies seeking to trial the new reagent, while also collaborating with four of the top 10 pharma companies and other biotech partners to develop Optimer binders for IHC.
Chief executive Dr Arron Tolley said: " We are now actively working with these partners to supply and support them in the use of Optimer-Fc. Optimer-Fc offers the ability to pursue new targets, that have proven previously intractable with antibodies, and improve assay selectivity.
“We anticipate this will open up further opportunities for emerging biomarkers in research and diagnostics, which could further increase the potential of our new IHC tools."
The IHC market, valued at US$2.3bn in 2021, is facing a significant challenge due to the imminent expiry of current patents for antibodies used in the process.
Innovative products such as Optimer-Fc could help overcome these issues by enabling scientists to pursue new and existing disease biomarkers while improving assay selectivity.
Tolley anticipates that its new IHC tools will "open up further opportunities for emerging biomarkers in research and diagnostics".
Through its Optimer platform, Aptamer creates custom affinity binders as alternatives to antibodies, overcoming their traditional limitations.
Binders are used for bioprocessing, diagnostics and pharmaceutical development.