Synthetic binders developer Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA) declared on Monday that it has signed a GBP112,000 fee-for-service development contract with a top 10 global pharmaceutical company, marking repeat business with an existing partner and reinforcing momentum for its Optimer platform.

The agreement covers the development of Optimer binders targeting two proteins to support biomarker research in complex biological samples such as muscle lysates and plasma. Success in this project would further demonstrate Optimer's differentiation from traditional antibodies. The deal also provides potential for follow-on work in ELISA development.

Aptamer retains ownership of the developed binders, preserving future licensing and royalty opportunities. The contract follows a series of recent wins, including a GBP360,000 radiopharmaceutical deal announced on 8 October 2025 and GBP315,000 of smaller contracts in Q1 FY26.

The latest agreement increases Aptamer's FY26 contracted revenue visibility to about GBP1.14m, supported by a GBP3.3m fee-for-service pipeline, including GBP1m in late-stage discussions. It represents the fifth significant contract of the financial year and further diversifies the Group's revenue base.

Aptamer continues to expand commercial adoption of its Optimer technology, providing next-generation synthetic binders that offer greater stability and cost efficiency compared with traditional antibodies. The company works with all top 10 global pharmaceutical firms and operates in the USD210bn antibody alternatives market.