Aptamer enters partnership with Microsaic Systems

Aptamer Group announced a partnership with Microsaic Systems on Friday, to develop a panel of Optimer binders for integration into Microsaic's water testing system.

The AIM-traded firm said the collaboration aimed to enhance continuous water monitoring by enabling rapid detection of multiple waterborne pathogens.

Microsaic recently acquired the Microtox water testing system.

Previous work with Aptamer's Covid-19 Optimer binders demonstrated successful integration into that system, showing superior detection performance compared to alternative affinity ligands like Affimers.

Those trials, conducted within the UK wastewater system, confirmed the efficacy of Optimer-enabled pathogen detectors.

Under the new agreement, Aptamer said it would develop Optimer binders for several major waterborne pathogens, including E.coli, cholera, cryptosporidium, legionella, and norovirus.

The binders would be integrated into Microsaic's pathogen detectors, providing rapid and sensitive detection of multiple pathogens crucial for public health.

Aptamer said the continuous water testing solution aimed to detect pathogens in real-time, eliminating delays associated with laboratory-based testing.

The system aimed for seamless integration with nationwide water systems, facilitating early detection of potential infections and enhancing public health safety.

“We are pleased to work with Microsaic and support their development of the water testing system,” said chief technical officer Dr Arron Tolley

“Applying the pathogen detector within national water systems could help prevent disease outbreaks by rapidly identifying specific hotspots.”

Dr Tolley said the robust nature of Optimer binders meant that they could work within tests as diverse as lab-based diagnostics and environmental water monitoring.

“Previous work has demonstrated that Optimer binders allow highly sensitive pathogen detection in the wastewater testing system, and we are pleased to build on this with the new team at Microsaic as they advance the platform to commerciality.”

At 1347 BST, shares in Aptamer Group were up 5.43% at 0.74p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.