Stock Markets March 25, 2026

Aptamer Group posts 27% H1 revenue rise as pharma contracts underpin growth

Revenue gains and licensing receipts narrow adjusted EBITDA loss while company raises funds to extend runway

By Ajmal Hussain
Aptamer Group posts 27% H1 revenue rise as pharma contracts underpin growth

Aptamer Group, a UK developer of synthetic binders, reported a 27% year-on-year increase in first-half revenue driven by new and repeat fee-for-service agreements with pharmaceutical companies. Improved top-line performance and controlled costs narrowed the company's adjusted EBITDA loss to £1.0 million, while gross profit for the period was £460,000. The business has launched an Accelerated Book Build to raise at least £3.75 million and says the proceeds should extend its cash runway through 2028.

Key Points

  • Aptamer recorded 27% year-on-year revenue growth in the first half, driven by fee-for-service contracts with pharmaceutical companies and a radioligand therapy contract win - impacts the biotech and pharmaceutical services sectors.
  • Adjusted EBITDA loss reduced to £1.0 million and gross profit was £460,000, reflecting improved topline performance alongside cost control - relevant to investors tracking small-cap biotech financials.
  • Company launched an Accelerated Book Build to raise at least £3.75 million and expects the proceeds to extend cash runway through 2028; it is also seeking to convert assets into recurring royalty and licensing revenues.

Aptamer Group said its first-half revenue climbed 27% compared with the same period a year earlier, with growth attributed to both new and repeat fee-for-service contracts from pharmaceutical clients. Management highlighted a contract win related to radioligand therapy among the agreements contributing to the increase in sales.

On an adjusted EBITDA basis, the company narrowed its loss to £1.0 million for the half-year as revenues improved and costs were kept under control. Gross profit for the period was reported at £460,000.

The company received initial licensing payments from out-licensed Optimer assets to Twist Bioscience and Alphazyme, and said additional licensing discussions are ongoing. Aptamer described these initial receipts as supporting its strategy to turn its asset portfolio into recurring royalty and licensing income streams.

In its statutory results, Aptamer recorded first-half EBIT of negative £1.24 million. Basic earnings per share for the period were 0.04 pence.

To bolster its balance sheet, the company launched an Accelerated Book Build with the aim of raising at least £3.75 million. Aptamer expects that, following the fundraising, its cash runway will stretch through 2028.

Looking ahead, the company said it is targeting in vivo data for its radiopharmaceutical pipeline by the end of 2026. As part of preparations to support licensed assets and to improve margins, Aptamer plans to expand manufacturing capacity and carry out quality audits to underpin supply for partners.

Management framed the combination of fee-for-service work with pharmaceutical companies, licensing payments from out-licensed assets, and planned operational investment as steps toward building more predictable revenue streams. The company emphasised that converting its existing portfolio into recurring royalty and licensing revenue remains an ongoing priority.


Financial snapshot

  • Revenue: up 27% year-on-year in the first half
  • Adjusted EBITDA loss: narrowed to £1.0 million
  • Gross profit: £460,000
  • First-half EBIT: negative £1.24 million
  • Basic EPS: 0.04 pence
  • Fundraising: Accelerated Book Build to raise at least £3.75 million; post-raise runway expected through 2028

This reporting period underscores revenue momentum linked to pharmaceutical contracts and early licensing receipts, while the company executes on capital raising and operational steps to support future licensed supply and margin improvement.

Risks

  • Completion of the Accelerated Book Build is necessary for the company to realise the projected cash runway through 2028; failure to raise the targeted funds would affect liquidity - impacts capital markets and investor financing for small biotech firms.
  • The company’s strategy depends on converting its asset portfolio into recurring royalty and licensing income, an objective that is described as ongoing and not yet realised - impacts revenue predictability in the biotech sector.
  • Revenue is currently supported by contracts with pharmaceutical companies; continued reliance on fee-for-service agreements and a limited number of licensing receipts could expose the company to concentration and contract renewal risk - relevant to pharmaceutical services and supply chains.

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