At NanoGroup, we believe in bold steps that revolutionize medicine. The acquisition of the aptamer platform from Pure Biologics is just such a step – a milestone that significantly expands our technological capabilities and opens up a powerful area for business operations.

What did we buy?

We took over full, unlimited rights to technology that allows the search for aptamers for specific proteins. The technology is protected by patent in Poland (PL239946), Europe (EP3350195B1) and the US (US10450673B2).

The technology component is library, which is a list of already identified aptamers for specific proteins.

We also acquired the entire DOTO Medical company, which was developing a project to use aptamers in the filtration of inflammatory factors in the dialysis process – about which further on.

What are aptamers?

Aptamers are short DNA fragments that easily bind to a molecular target. This target can be a specific protein, an antigen, or even an entire cell. The aptamer binds to its target – and what happens next depends on the application. Along with the aptamer, a drug may be delivered to the target to prevent DNA replication, thereby stopping the proliferation of cells (such as cancer cells). Alternatively, they can be used as filters to capture and stop molecular targets (such as cytokines).

Aptamers – the market of the future

DOTO’s acquisition is part of a global trend of increasing use of aptamers. Their global market value of $756.9 million in 2024 is expected to grow to $4.77 billion by 2028, with annual growth exceeding 50%.

This is no accident. Aptamers are superior to traditional antibodies in many ways:

• Target small particles more effectively
• They can be chemically synthesized, which lowers costs
• May penetrate the blood-brain barrier, opening up new treatment options for neurodegenerative diseases
• They are non-immunogenic, which minimizes the risk of side effects

How will we use aptamers in the NanOX System?

In the field of transplantation, where every minute and every factor matters, medicine is struggling with the incidence of inflammation damaging organs before transplantation.

Thanks to aptamers, NanoGroup will develop a proprietary biomolecular filter, which in the future will be part of our system for extracorporeal organ perfusion and will be mounted to our NanOX Recovery Box device. This filter will selectively remove pro-inflammatory factors (so-called cytokines ) – the same ones responsible for organ degradation. We have completed preliminary tests to confirm this concept.

What is the use of aptamers in the DOTO Medical project?

The acquisition of DOTO Medical is a continuation of our commitment to treating the effects of chronic kidney disease (CKD) – and entering the dialysis segment.

Based on the work conducted at DOTO Medical, we will develop a device that will safely remove pro-inflammatory cytokines from the blood of patients with PChN. This will be an add-on module to the hemodialysis equipment, which is an aptamer-based biological filter that stops factors that contribute to the deterioration of the kidney’s blood vessels.

The goal: To prolong the kidney function of people on continuous dialysis, including those awaiting transplantation. Dialysis patients have a nine- to 12-fold higher risk of death – as many as half of these deaths are due to cardiovascular disease.

The global dialysis market, worth more than $100 billion and projected to grow to $145 billion by 2030, is waiting for such innovations. DOTO Medical, with the pre-proven effectiveness of its prototype filter (more than 99% capture of a model target from plasma), has the potential to revolutionize this market.

How will we use aptamers in oncology projects?

In oncology, where precise drug delivery is crucial, aptamers offer breakthrough opportunities. Current chemotherapies are often characterized by rapid metabolism and unfavorable biodistribution of the drug in the body.

At NanoGroup, we will use the acquired aptamer platform to develop polysaccharide-based carriers for cytostatics. Aptamers, with their high selectivity and low molecular weight, will allow direct delivery of the tumor-destroying drug to tumor cells while minimizing side effects in healthy tissues. Unlike conventional antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), our aptamer carriers will provide deeper penetration of tumor-transformed tissue.

Aptamers are one of the most advanced targeting systems for cancer drugs.

What’s next?

NanoGroup is currently in the process of expanding its design and technology portfolio, part of which is also the acquisition of an aptamer platform. In the coming weeks we will be implementing:

1. Technology transfer
2. Organization of development space
3. Completing the team
4. Project planning according to internal standards

New technology only matters if it pays off.

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