Aptamer Group (LSE:APTA) said on 13 July 2026 that Revenue for the year to 30 June 2026 was about £1.5 million, up 25%, and that its sales pipeline had grown 55% to £4.8 million. The trading update also confirmed the first cash licensing receipts and a funding runway through at least 2028.

What the company does

Aptamer Group is based in the UK and develops Optimer binders, synthetic molecules designed to bind to specific targets for use in diagnostics, laboratory tools and therapeutics. It sells discovery services to life sciences customers and increasingly licenses its technology. It describes itself as a pioneer in next-generation synthetic binders, and its customers range from global pharmaceutical groups to consumer goods and diagnostics developers.

Latest trading

The July update reported revenue of about £1.5 million against £1.2 million the prior year. The sales pipeline at 30 June 2026 was £4.8 million, up from £3.1 million at the half-year update in January 2026, and the order book for the 2027 financial year stood at £0.6 million. First licensing revenues came from agreements with Twist Bioscience and Alphazyme, signed in December 2025.

Operational progress in the second half included delivering Optimers to a global life sciences company for validation, advancing a Cryptosporidium programme with Metir, progressing a collaboration with Unilever targeting a bacterial enzyme, and supplying binders to Invizius, where optimisation for clinical use continues. Programmes in food fortification rapid testing and in radiopharmaceuticals with a top-three global pharmaceutical company also advanced. In February 2026 LSE:APTA noted that its technology had been used in a newly launched library preparation kit and confirmed technical feasibility for a pathogen detector.

Funding and financial picture

In April 2026 the company raised net proceeds of £4.1 million, completing a retail offer in the same period, and says its cash position gives a runway through at least 2028. Spending is directed at an AI-enabled discovery platform, automation and a therapeutic pipeline. Revenue remains small relative to costs, so the Business is loss-making and pays no dividend. Full audited results, expected after the trading update, will show the loss and cash balance.

Sector and index context

Demand for novel binders is driven by diagnostics and drug development, where established antibodies dominate but aptamer-style molecules can offer Manufacturing and stability advantages. Early-stage life science companies on the FTSE AIM All Share Index typically move through cycles of contract wins, licensing deals and fundraisings, and Aptamer (LSE:APTA) is no exception. Licence income, if it grows, could improve revenue quality relative to one-off project fees.

Key risks

Customers often take lengthy periods to validate binders, and revenue can be uneven between periods. Reliance on a small number of partners, the chance that licensed products do not reach market and competition from antibodies and other technologies are material. Despite the runway statement, further fundraising cannot be ruled out if growth falls short, and share issues could dilute existing holders.

What to watch next

Investors will watch the full-year results, conversion of the £4.8 million pipeline into orders, further licence agreements following those with Twist Bioscience and Alphazyme, and progress on the Unilever, Metir and Invizius programmes. Any move into therapeutic partnerships would also be closely followed. LSE:APTA has stated that its development work includes a therapeutic pipeline, so a first partner there would be a notable step beyond the laboratory and diagnostic customers that account for most of today's revenue. Investors will also want to see whether the £0.6 million order book already secured for the new financial year grows steadily through the autumn, and whether licensing income repeats beyond the initial agreements.