Aptamer and Neuro-Bio enter the second phase of Alzheimer’s test development

Aptamer Group plc, the developer of novel Optimer^® binders to enable innovation in the life sciences industry, announces the second phase of its on-going partnership with Neuro-Bio, an Oxfordshire-based biotechnology company with a therapeutic focus on neurodegenerative disease, to develop Optimer binders for a lateral flow test for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

This latest phase involves the development of an additional Optimer binder against the innovative Neuro-Bio target implicated in Alzheimer’s disease, with the goal of developing reagents for a lateral flow test for early disease detection. Following the earlier identification of Optimer binders to this novel Alzheimer’s disease biomarker, these binders have been characterized for use in lateral flow and biosensor assays.

Common lateral flow test formats require a pair of binders to increase diagnostic test accuracy. To prevent the need for animal-derived antibodies in its Alzheimer’s disease diagnostic, Neuro-Bio now requires the development of additional binders to support the lateral flow test format and deliver a wholly Optimer-powered test. As Optimer binders are oligonucleotide-based, rather than protein-based like antibodies, they offer further advantages including scalability of manufacture, improved shelf-life, and tuneability benefits that will allow more stable and specific reagents for use in lateral flow tests.

Want the latest science news straight to your inbox? Become a SelectScience member for free today>>