Aptamer Group PLC (AIM:APTA) shares jumped 19% in early trading on Tuesday before falling into the red as the company said it has signed a therapeutic development agreement with a clinical-stage biotech.
Under the deal, Aptamer will develop its Optimer binders targeting complement system components to enhance Invizius’ H-Guard therapy, which is entering Phase 2 clinical trials.
The collaboration aims to deliver safer and more precise treatments for conditions such as IgA nephropathy, a serious kidney disease.
Optimers are synthetic binders that offer improved specificity, biological stability and reduced immunogenicity compared with protein-based therapeutics. Aptamer said this agreement supports its licensing-led growth model as it retains the intellectual property rights to the developed binders, creating future licensing and commercialisation opportunities.
"This partnership with Invizius is a strong strategic fit with our licensing-led growth model," said Aptamer CEO Arron Tolley.
Shares in Aptamer have been on the rise since last month, when it revealed strong progress on multiple licensing opportunities and validation from a top-five global pharmaceutical partner.