Skip Header
Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

Aptamer reports success in ongoing work with Unilever

(Sharecast News) - Aptamer Group, a developer of novel 'Optimer' binders for the life sciences industry, updated the market on its ongoing partnership with Unilever on Monday, aimed at creating Optimer binders for use in cosmetic applications. The AIM-traded firm said the collaboration, launched in 2022, was focussed on developing Optimer binders to treat malodour in personal care products.

It said the binders had undergone extensive testing at both Aptamer Group and Unilever, yielding highly positive and reproducible results, suggesting strong potential for incorporation into downstream products.

In light of the successful tests, Aptamer filed a patent on 28 March to protect the developed Optimer binders, securing the company's intellectual property rights.

Currently, testing of the Optimer binders is continuing in Unilever's laboratories, with plans to begin on-person functionality studies in the second half of 2024.

The global deodorant market, valued at $25.6bn in 2023, represented a significant opportunity, with Unilever being the largest antiperspirant and deodorant manufacturer worldwide.

Aptamer said the project was expected to finish within the next two years.

If the trials were successful, it could lead to Aptamer licensing the Optimer binders to Unilever.

"The early success we have seen to date in evaluating our Optimers that aim to treat malodour has been promising," said chief technical officer Dr Arron Tolley.

"We are excited to support our partners at Unilever in advancing these binders to the next stage of development with on-person functionality studies.

"Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) like personal care products can progress to market more rapidly than diagnostics or therapeutic products."

Dr Tolley said Optimers offered advantages such as stability, shelf life and consistent manufacturability making them ideal molecules for FMCG and cosmetic applications.

"If the Optimer binders continue to progress through the testing and manufacturing stages in Unilever's hands, then we anticipate the completion of this project within two years."

At 1341 BST, shares in Aptamer Group were up 8.12% at 0.73p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.

Share this article

Related Sharecast Articles

Apollo to buy IGT Gaming and Everi in $6.3bn deal
(Sharecast News) - Apollo Global Management has agreed to buy International Game Technology's gaming and digital business - IGT Gaming - and gambling machines firm Everi Holdings in a $6.3bn cash deal.
3M comfortably beats expectations for Q2 revenue, earnings
(Sharecast News) - American industrial conglomerate 3M announced a strong set of second-quarter results on Friday, comfortably beating market expectations as it narrowed its guidance for the full-year towards the top end of its previous expectations.
Law Debenture delivers 'solid' overall first-half performance
(Sharecast News) - Law Debenture Corporation reported a robust first-half performance in both its investment and independent professional services (IPS) business on Friday.
GCP Infrastructure reports slight decrease in NAV per share
(Sharecast News) - GCP Infrastructure Investments said in an update on Friday that its unaudited net asset value per share was 107.58p as at 30 June, a slight decrease from 107.62p at the end of March.

Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Award-winning online share dealing

Search, compare and select from thousands of shares.

Expert insights into investing your money

Our team of experts explore the world of share dealing.