Shares of Aptamer Group PLC (AIM:APTA) were up 12% after announcing a new collaboration with AstraZeneca PLC (LSE:AZN) to explore the use of Optimer technology for targeted delivery of siRNA, a type of genetic material used in therapies.
Optimers are synthetic molecules designed to bind specifically to target cells, enhancing the delivery and effectiveness of treatments.
This partnership will focus on using Optimer-based delivery vehicles for fibrotic liver cells. AZ will provide the siRNA for testing, and Aptamer will conduct in-house experiments to evaluate the technology’s effectiveness. If successful, further testing in animal models will follow.
Targeting specific cell types for siRNA delivery is challenging, but the siRNA market was valued at over $13 billion in 2023. Optimer technology could revolutionize this field by improving delivery precision, which could lead to the development of new, more effective therapies.
The shares were up 0.075p at 0.7p.