Aptamer services & Aptamer-based assays

Novaptech specializes in the identification, optimization and development of aptamers, oligonucleotides capable of binding to molecular targets with high specificity. This expertise places Novaptech at the forefront of biotechnology solutions, offering tailor-made services for research, diagnostics, analytical and therapeutic applications.  

Novaptech is a spin-off created in 2016 from JJ Toulmé’s academic laboratory that has more than 30 years’ world-renowned experience in aptamer development.

In addition to custom aptamer selection for our customers, Novaptech research teams develop aptamer-based solutions that generate quantitative, portable, multiplexed and real-time diagnostic and analytical tools.

Aptamers, often described as the synthetic rivals of antibodies, are gaining ground thanks to their small size, high stability and ability to be easily modified for diverse applications. Unlike antibodies, aptamers are selected in vitro via a process known as SELEX for Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment, and chemically synthesized, guaranteeing superior speed and reproducibility for industrial and research applications. 

The preference for aptamers in certain fields can be explained by their robustness and ease of handling, enabling them to be integrated into a variety of technological platforms. Novaptech exploits this versatility to develop analytical and diagnostic tests that surpass antibody-based methodologies. The aim is to meet the specific needs of our customers notably but not only in the life sciences area, pharmaceutical industry, agri-food industry and environmental monitoring. 

Novaptech’s expertise in the field of aptamers represents a major advance in biotechnology, with new perspectives for diagnosis, analysis, treatment and research, thanks to innovative and personalized approaches. Novaptech’s commitment to the research and development of aptamers paves the way for revolutionary biotechnological solutions, marking a milestone in the evolution of diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

Thanks to our recognized expertise in biotechnology and our innovative approach to the development and customization of aptamers, Novaptech is today able to offer a wide range of R&D services and solutions that meet the specific needs of the pharmaceutical, life sciences and environmental sectors. 

By leveraging this unique expertise, Novaptech enables its customers to overcome complex challenges through the use of aptamers specifically selected and characterized for their applications.

Novaptech’s customized services :

· Aptamer selection : Using advanced techniques to identify aptamers that bind with high specificity and affinity to customers’ molecular or cellular targets. 

· Aptamer characterization : Comprehensive assessment of the biophysical and functional properties of aptamers, using Surface Plamon Resonance, Bio-Layer Interferometry and fluorescence emission, to ensure their efficacy and applicability under real-life conditions.

· Aptamer optimization : Engineering of optimized aptamer derivatives through shortening and the introduction of chemical modifications or additional functionalities.

· Engineering of aptamer -based fluorimetric or colorimetric sensors.

Novaptech’s Research and Development program:

· Development of new selection methodologies to speed up the aptamer identification process. 

· Exploration of the use of aptamers in innovative therapeutic, diagnostic and analytical applications. 

· Design of aptamer-based tools, in particular aptasensors for the quantitative detection of small molecules in water, diary, beverages and biological fluids.

. Design of apamer based sensors for the detection of animal pathogens (viruses, bacteria) in particular in the air.

. Identification and characterization of aptamers for affinity-based purification of bioproducts (monoclonal antoibodies).

Proprietary technology and assays based on aptamers :

· Development of rapid assays and multiplexed analyses for the precise detection of biomarkers, toxins and other targets in various samples. 

· Development of aptamer-based diagnostic kits for clinical, environmental and research applications.

The advantages of Novaptech’s services :

· Customization : Adaptation of aptamers to the specific needs of customers’ R&D projects. 

· Speed and efficiency : Reduce the time needed to develop diagnostic, analytical and therapeutic solutions. 

· Versatility : Aptamers can be used in a wide range of applications, from basic research to complex industrial applications.

Novaptech’s research program is focused on innovation and continuous improvement, and aims to expand the frontiers of aptamer applications by applying cutting-edge technologies to the development of aptamer assays. These efforts result in the creation of highly specific and sensitive solutions that benefit a variety of sectors for a significant advance in biomedical and environmental research.

Aptamers are renowned for their high specificity and affinity for their molecular targets. This specificity opens up a wide range of applications, notably in diagnostics, therapeutics and environmental testing. 

In diagnostics, for example, they are used in the design of biosensors for the rapid detection of pathogens or disease-specific biomarkers. 

In therapeutics, aptamers are used to target and neutralize biologically active molecules, opening up new prospects for the treatment for instance of autoimmune diseases, cancers and vascular disorders. 

· Medical diagnostics : aptamers facilitate the rapid and precise detection of pathogens and specific biomarkers, significantly enhancing diagnostic capabilities.
· Therapeutics : Used as therapeutic agents, aptamers are able to selectively target diseased cells, potentially reducing side effects and optimizing treatment efficacy.
· Environmental analysis : aptamers are used to monitor the presence of contaminants and toxins in the environment, ensuring sensitive and specific detection. Among the many applications to which aptamers are opening the way, we can mention the
following, without being exhaustive: Probes for molecular imaging, biosensors, target validation, drug delivery, biomarker and drug discovery, as well as research with methods for
purification, cell sorting or protein binding site determination.

Compared to antibodies, aptamers offer a number of advantages:

1. Their small size.
2. Their ability to be chemically synthesized and modified.
3. Their stability under a wide range of medium conditions, including temperature.
4. Their high batch to batch reproducibility
5. Lower production costs.

Unlike antibodies, which require biological systems for their production, aptamers can be rapidly and efficiently chemically synthesized on solid support. This facilitates large-scale production without the risk of batch-to-batch variations. What’s more, their specificity and targeting affinity can be fine-tuned through chemical modifications for enhanced functionality and safety in therapeutic applications. 

Aptamers are designed to bind with high precision to their targets, and to offer targeting capabilities comparable to, or even superior to, those of antibodies. Aptamers are exceptionally stable under a wide range of physicochemical conditions, making them easy to store and use in a variety of conditions. Chemical synthesis of aptamers is less costly than antibody production, which requires live biological cells or animals.Chemical modifications enable aptamer properties, such as size, shape and functionality, to be easily adjusted for specific applications.

Aptamers present a reduced risk of provoking adverse immune reactions. These characteristics position aptamers as more than promising candidates for revolutionizing current approaches in many scientific and medical fields.

Their ability to fulfill specific needs opens up new horizons for the development of more precise diagnostics, more targeted treatments and more sensitive environmental monitoring methods.

Novaptech is a company based in Gradignan, near Bordeaux in France. We specialize in the customized development of aptamers for any application in analytics, diagnostics and therapeutics.

We work primarily with the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries worldwide, including the USA, European Union, the UK, Switzerland and Japan.

Our expertise covers all stages of aptamer development, including selection (SELEX), optimization and use in Aptamer-based assays, imaging applications, and the use of aptamers as therapeutics.

In a dynamic of constant research and innovation, and in order to counter the limitations induced by polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, we select DNA, RNA and chemically-modified RNA aptamers. Aptamers can be conjugated to a wide range of dyes.
We develop aptamers directed against cells, bacteria, viruses, proteins, peptides, small molecules, or toxins.

Our recognized expertise and personalized approach provide targeted answers to complex challenges in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, cosmetics, fine chemistry, imaging, agri-food and environmental sectors.

With more than three decades of experience, Novaptech continues to push the boundaries of aptamer science to deliver ever more advanced solutions that promise to improve the precision, efficiency and safety of biotechnology application.