Aptamer Group grants Alphazyme the right to incorporate Optimer into hot-start PCR and NGS product formulations
Non-exclusive OEM license grants worldwide rights for Optimer binder in molecular biology applications
26 Dec 2025
Aptamer Group plc and Alphazyme LLC (Alphazyme), a Maravai LifeSciences company, have executed a licensing agreement for a proprietary Optimer® binder developed for hot-start polymerase chain reaction (PCR) applications.
The licensed Optimer® functions as a reversible, temperature-dependent inhibitor in hot-start DNA amplification protocols. The synthetic binder maintains DNA polymerase in an inactive state at ambient temperatures, preventing non-specific primer extension and primer-dimer formation during reaction assembly.
Upon thermal activation, the binder-enzyme complex dissociates, restoring full enzymatic activity. This mechanism enhances assay specificity and sensitivity in applications including clinical diagnostics, genomic analysis, and library preparation for next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows.
Under the agreement, Aptamer Group grants Alphazyme non-exclusive worldwide rights to incorporate the enzyme-modulating Optimer® into hot-start PCR and NGS product formulations.
The parties initiated a development agreement in June 2024, with final candidate molecules delivered in December 2024. Alphazyme's internal validation studies confirmed temperature-dependent modulation of both exonuclease and polymerase activities. Notably, the single Optimer® binder replicates functionality typically requiring two distinct antibody reagents, offering potential advantages in manufacturing economics and formulation complexity.
Following this success, a second Optimer® development programme for enzyme modulation has been initiated with Alphazyme to broaden the customer's product portfolio. This project has recently completed the development phase, with candidate molecules having been delivered to Alphazyme for internal testing with positive results.
Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer of Aptamer Group, said, “We are delighted to announce the signing of this licensing agreement with Alphazyme. This second enzyme modulation licensing agreement validates both the technical performance and commercial appeal of Optimer® technology in the molecular biology market."
"One of the standout features is the ability of our product to replace two antibodies with a single product, offering significant performance and manufacturing advantages, which will drive further licensing opportunities on successful technical validation of the second project,” he added.
