Aptamer Group Partners with Invizius to Develop Next-Gen Complement System Therapies

Aptamer Group plc, a developer of next-generation synthetic binders for the life sciences industry, has signed a new therapeutic development agreement with Invizius, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on second-generation complement system therapies for inflammatory, fibrotic, and autoimmune diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, Aptamer will develop Optimer binders targeted to critical factors of the complement system for an undisclosed sum. The targeted Optimers will help suppress unwanted immune responses in multiple diseases, including IgA nephropathy, a serious kidney disease with limited treatment options. Invizius’ H-Guard technology, currently entering Phase 2 clinical trials, uses protein-based molecules to help suppress the immune response of the complement system. The use of Optimers instead could make the therapy safer, more precise, and less likely to cause side effects.

Optimers are synthetic oligonucleotide-based binders that offer several advantages over protein-based therapeutics, including enhanced specificity, biological stability, and reduced immunogenicity. These properties are expected to improve the safety and precision of Invizius’ H-Guard platform.

Aptamer will retain intellectual property rights for the developed binders, strengthening its proprietary portfolio and enabling potential future licensing and commercialisation opportunities.

Dr. Arron Tolley, CEO of Aptamer Group, commented: “This partnership with Invizius is a strong strategic fit with our licensing-led growth model. By integrating our Optimer technology into their H-Guard platform, we are not only advancing the therapeutic potential of complement system modulation but also building valuable Optimer assets that support future licensing opportunities. By working closely with the Invizius team, we aim to develop solutions that not only improve treatment outcomes but also reduce side effects for patients across multiple disease areas, including IgA nephropathy.

Dr. Magnus Nicolson, CEO of Invizius, added: “Aptamer’s expertise in discovery under application-relevant conditions, combined with their proven ability to deliver high-performance binders, makes them an ideal partner. We are excited to initiate this development program as we believe that aptamers have many advantages over protein therapeutics and will become an increasingly important therapeutic modality in the future.”