Aptamer initiates Ebola diagnostic test program

Aptamer Group plc has initiated a new program to develop Optimer^® binders for a rapid, field-deployable diagnostic test targeting the rare and highly infectious Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.

The project, started in Aptamer Group’s laboratories, aims to address a critical diagnostic gap during the largest recorded Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, where early, accurate detection is essential for patient care and outbreak control.

Addressing a critical diagnostic gap in Bundibugyo Ebola

Fatality rates for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola range from approximately 30% to 50%, depending on factors such as virus strain, quality of patient care, and speed of recognition and treatment. Rapid and reliable diagnosis is therefore vital for improving patient outcomes and containing transmission.

The current outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola, which began in May 2026 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, represents the largest recorded outbreak of this rare strain. The World Health Organization has declared both an epidemic and a public health emergency, underscoring the urgent need for sensitive, field-compatible diagnostic tools.

Unlike the more common Zaire strain of Ebola, for which vaccines and treatments are available, the Bundibugyo strain has substantially different viral proteins. These differences mean that existing diagnostic approaches and antibody-based detection methods are often insufficiently sensitive for rapid deployment in outbreak settings. Current tests can struggle to quickly and reliably identify Bundibugyo infections, limiting the effectiveness of public health responses.

Leveraging Optimer platform for rapid, sensitive detection

Aptamer Group’s Optimer^® technology is designed to generate highly specific synthetic binders that can be integrated into a range of diagnostic formats. The new program will focus on developing Optimers that recognize specific proteins of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, with the goal of enabling rapid, accurate detection in field conditions.

The company has already brought all necessary materials on-site to begin Optimer discovery and development for this application, with work now underway in its laboratories. The resulting binders are intended for incorporation into rapid, field-compatible diagnostic tests that can support frontline healthcare workers and public health agencies in managing the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.

Track record in outbreak-responsive diagnostics

Aptamer’s Optimer technology has previously demonstrated rapid responses and strong performance in infectious disease diagnostics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company developed SARS-CoV-2 binders that were successfully translated into lateral flow tests, showcasing the platform’s ability to deliver sensitive and specific diagnostic solutions at pace during global health emergencies.

This experience is now being applied to the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, with Aptamer Group aiming to provide a new diagnostic option where existing tests lack the sensitivity required for timely detection in resource-limited and field settings.

Dr. Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer of Aptamer Group, commented on the significance of the new programme and the wider public health context, “Those following the Ebola outbreak in Sub-Saharan Africa will note the growing severity of the situation on both a human and economic level. The head of the Africa Centres for Disease ​Control and Prevention, Director-General Jean Kaseya, has warned that containing this outbreak could cost billions of dollars. A critical limiting factor in response is rapid, accurate diagnosis. Existing tests lack the sensitivity needed for timely detection in field settings.

“During COVID, our platform demonstrated its ability to deliver diagnostic tools at pace to respond to infectious disease outbreaks. We are now applying that capability to develop Optimers for specific proteins of the Bundibugyo strain. With development underway in our labs, I look forward to updating shareholders as the programme progresses.”

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