TIDMAPTA

RNS Number : 9603M

Aptamer Group PLC

19 September 2023

19 September 2023

Aptamer Group plc

("Aptamer", the "Company" or the "Group")

Placing and Subscription to raise GBP310,772

PDMR Dealing

Total Voting Rights

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer (R) binders to enable innovation in the life sciences industry, today announces that it has raised GBP310,772 through the issue of 28,251,956 new Ordinary Shares by way of a subscription and a placing by Turner Pope to certain existing shareholders at 1.1p per share (the "Issue Price") (together, the "Fundraise").

The Fundraise was initiated following approaches from existing non-UK shareholders who could not be contacted in time to participate in the August 2023 fundraise and extended to take advantage of demand from other existing shareholders using the Company's remaining net authorised unissued share capital.

The Fundraise includes a subscription by Dr Adam Hargreaves, a non-executive director of the Company, for 5,000,000 new Ordinary Shares for a total investment of GBP55,000. Following this further investment, Dr Hargreaves is now interested in 22,500,000 Ordinary Shares representing 4.81 per cent of the enlarged issued share capital.

In addition, an existing investor, Mr Nicholas Slater, is investing GBP50,000 in the Fundraise for 4,545,454 new Ordinary Shares, taking his holding to 26,045,454 Ordinary Shares representing 5.57% of the enlarged issued share capital.

The net proceeds will be ringfenced to support research and development (R&D) activities within the business, including the ongoing process improvements. R&D work was reduced as part of the Company's new strategy to support cost-cutting in August. While higher-risk development activities will still aim to be funded by grants, the new funds will enable internal validation of the technology in key focus areas.

Total Voting Rights

Application for the admission of the new Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM ("Admission") has been made and Admission is expected on Monday, 25 September 2023, following which the total number of shares in issue and total voting rights will be 467,343,673. The Group does not hold any shares in treasury and, therefore, the above figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculation by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company.

- ENDS -

For further information, please contact:

 
 Aptamer Group plc 
  Steve Hull                                    +44 (0) 1904 217 404 
 SPARK Advisory Partners Limited - Nominated 
  Adviser 
  Andrew Emmott / Mark Brady / Adam Dawes       +44 (0) 20 3368 3550 
                                               ----------------------- 
 T urner Pope I nvestments (TPI) Limited 
  - B roker 
  J ames Pope / Andrew Thacker                  +44 (0) 20 36 57 0 050 
                                               -----------------------

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

About Aptamer Group plc

Aptamer develops custom affinity binders through its proprietary Optimer (R) platform to enable new approaches in therapeutics, diagnostics, and research applications. The Company strives to deliver transformational solutions that meet the needs of life science researchers and developers through the use of its proprietary Optimer platform.

Optimer binders are oligonucleotide affinity ligands that can function as an antibody alternative. The global affinity ligand market is currently worth over $170 billion. Optimer binders are engineered to address many of the issues found with alternative affinity molecules, such as antibodies, and offer new, innovative solutions to bioprocessing, diagnostic and pharmaceutical scientists.

Aptamer has successfully delivered projects for global pharma companies, diagnostic development companies, and research institutes covering a range of targets and applications with the objective of establishing royalty-bearing licenses. Through the unique Optimer technology and processes, scientists and collaborators can make faster, more informed decisions that support discovery and development across the Life Sciences.

 
      Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities 
  1    / person closely associated 
 a)   Name                              Dr Adam Hargreaves 
     --------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
      Reason for the notification 
  2 
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 a)   Position/status                   Non-Executive Director - PDMR 
     --------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 b)   Initial notification              Initial notification 
       /Amendment 
     --------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
      Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, 
  3    auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor 
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 a)   Name                              Aptamer Group plc 
     --------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 b)   LEI                               213800Y4XGH3WJNBE686 
     --------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
      Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for 
  4    (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; 
       (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions 
       have been conducted 
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 a)   Description of                    Ordinary shares of GBP0.001 each 
       the financial 
       instrument, type 
       of instrument 
 
      Identification                    GB00BNRRP542 
       code 
 
 b)   Nature of the                     Acquisition of shares 
       transaction 
     --------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 c)   Price(s) and volume(s)              Price(s)   Volume(s) 
                                           1.1p       5,000,000 
                                                     ---------- 
     --------------------------------  --------------------------------- 
 d)   Aggregated information            n/a 
 
      - Aggregated volume 
      - Price 
 
 e)   Date of the transaction           19 September 2023 
     --------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 f)   Place of the transaction          Off market 
     --------------------------------  ---------------------------------------

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September 19, 2023 09:35 ET (13:35 GMT)

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