Aptamer Group PLC (AIM:APTA) shares rose after the company secured a contract extension with a top-five global pharmaceutical partner.
The AIM-listed biotech said the new work order builds on a previously completed project to develop its Optimer synthetic binders, moving the programme forward into the creation of a fully functional ELISA diagnostic assay.
Unlike traditional antibodies, Aptamer’s binders are designed to deliver improved performance and flexibility across life sciences applications.
Importantly, the company retains ownership of the intellectual property linked to the binders, giving it the option to license them for future revenues.
Chief executive Arron Tolley said the deal validated the Optimer platform’s performance and opened the door to wider use in diagnostics and therapeutics.
The stock, which hit 0.77p earlier in the session, settled at 0.73p, up 7%.