Biotechnology company Aptamer Group has launched a radiopharmaceutical programme to develop new therapeutic targets. 

The programme, launched in collaboration with Radiopharmium, will look to develop three strategic therapeutic targets across high-value clinical indications. 

The targets were identified through Aptamer’s Optimer platform and will now be progressed through in vitro validation, before advancing to in vivo studies assessing targeting and therapeutic performance. 

The targeted radiopharmaceuticals market represents a profitable area of growth for biotechnology companies, with 2025 estimations valuing the market at $7.5 billion. 

Radiopharmaceuticals deliver a radioactive payload directly to diseased tissue, but a persistent challenge is the degradation of the targeting molecule once it carries a radioactive payload, shortening shelf life, increasing waste, and complicating distribution. The industry standard is to add protective additives such as ascorbic acid to mitigate this degradation. 

Aptamer’s programme will be led by Dr Louis Allott, CEO of Radiopharmium Ltd and a member of Aptamer’s Scientific Advisory Board.

“We are excited to launch this programme in a high-growth field where the limitations of existing targeting technologies create a compelling opportunity for our Optimer platform,” said Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer of Aptamer Group. 

“A key challenge in radiopharmaceuticals is maintaining the stability of the targeting molecule once it is carrying a radioactive payload. Our data indicates that Optimer-based radioligands may offer improved stability compared to existing approaches, which could translate into practical advantages in manufacturing, distribution, and clinical use, subject to further validation. 

“With Louis leading this programme and access to world-class preclinical models through Radiopharmium, we are well-positioned to advance multiple assets towards in vivo validation and further demonstrate the potential of our platform in this rapidly growing therapeutic field.” 

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