Arta Peptidion
Custom aptamers for pharmaceutical applications diagnostic application
compounds per target
high value human targets
lead opportunities
Why choose AptaQ?
High-performance computers and powerful machine and deep learning algorithms significantly reduce false positives / negatives.
Our technological platform guarantees results in just a few months’ work, thereby reducing R&D costs and improving product time-to-market.
We carry out research on specific targets and on-demand, helping our customers to provide an innovative response to recent or unresolved problems.
The Aptamers we deliver to customers are unique, effective and patentable to accelerate product development and market entry.
Design flow
Our flexible AI engine can generate structured nucleic acids for specific protein targets to rapidly design novel drug candidates.
AptaQ Computational Platform
in silico
Aptamers Design
Aptamer
Lead selection
Computational
Binding assay
in silico
Aptamers selection
in vitro
experimental binding
AptaQ Computational Platform
Aptamers Design
Binding assay
Aptamers selection
experimental binding
Lead selection
AptaQ Computational Platform
Services and areas
Arta Peptidion is a story of study, experimentation and research, that stems from a firm commitment to science. We strive to help companies achieve an advantage over their competitors, by providing them with novel, patent-protected molecules. How? By employing a number of individual approaches or a mixture of research approaches, we are always able to find the perfect solution: a suitable aptamers to be developed.
The experience we have accrued in years of research allows us to identify and develop molecules that establish new therapeutic classes that bring significant advantages, here and now. Each and every day, we strive to grow with our customers, in the knowledge that we are able to satisfy all their needs with the smartest solutions at the most competitive prices.
Computational aptamer design for spike glycoprotein (S) (SARS CoV-2) detection with an electrochemical aptasensor
A new bioinformatic platform (APTERION) was used to design in a short time and with high specificity an aptamer for the detection of the spike protein, a structural protein of SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The aptamer concentration on the carbon electrode surface was optimized using static contact angle and fluorescence method, while specificity was tested using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) associated to carbon screen-printed electrodes.
The data obtained demonstrated the good features of the aptamer which could be used to create a rapid method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Application of aptamers
Aptamers, short single-stranded nucleic acids, bind to diverse targets including proteins, small molecules, and entire cells with exceptional affinity and specificity. This capability positions them as highly versatile tools across multiple biomedical fields, notably bio-imaging, diagnostics, therapeutic applications, drug delivery, and food inspection.
Aptamers have gained significant attention in bio-imaging and diagnostic applications due to their high specificity and stability. For instance, recent advancements include the development of aptamer-based probes for early cancer detection. The European project APTACELLSENS successfully developed multiplex assays utilizing aptamers to detect molecular fingerprints of common cancers, thereby enhancing diagnostic profiling and monitoring (CORDIS EU, 2023). Additionally, aptamer-based assays have been effectively used to detect pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses, and environmental pollutants, demonstrating their adaptability and efficacy in point-of-care diagnostics (Analytical Chemistry, 2022).
In molecular imaging, aptamers conjugated with fluorophores, radioisotopes, or nanoparticles have shown promising results in preclinical studies for targeted imaging of disease-specific biomarkers, enhancing the precision and sensitivity of techniques like PET, MRI, and optical imaging (ACS Sensors, 2023).
Therapeutically, aptamers function both as drug delivery vehicles and as direct therapeutic agents due to their specificity, low immunogenicity, and ease of chemical modification. A prominent example is Pegaptanib sodium (Macugen), the first FDA-approved RNA aptamer drug, targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (FDA, 2023).
Moreover, ongoing clinical trials focus on aptamers designed against various viral targets. Notably, aptamers targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein have demonstrated efficacy in neutralizing the virus in preclinical studies, representing a promising strategy for future antiviral therapies (Nature Communications, 2023). Aptamers have also shown therapeutic potential in anticoagulation therapy, with nucleic acid aptamers specifically targeting thrombin to reduce blood clot formation (Blood Journal, 2023).
Aptamers are increasingly being integrated into advanced drug delivery systems. Due to their target-specific binding properties, aptamers have been linked to nanoparticles, liposomes, or polymeric micelles to deliver therapeutic payloads precisely to diseased tissues. Recent research highlights aptamer-functionalized nanoparticles successfully delivering chemotherapeutic agents directly into tumor cells, significantly improving therapeutic outcomes while reducing off-target toxicity (Journal of Controlled Release, 2023).
Additionally, aptamer-based “smart” delivery systems that undergo conformational changes upon binding to specific cellular markers are under intense investigation. These systems offer controlled release and targeted therapy, representing a crucial advancement in personalized medicine (Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 2023).
In food safety, aptamers have emerged as powerful detection tools for contaminants such as mycotoxins, pathogens, and pesticide residues. Recent applications include the development of aptamer-based biosensors for detecting aflatoxin B1, a dangerous carcinogenic toxin found in contaminated food products. Aptamer-functionalized sensors employing quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technology have demonstrated higher sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional antibody-based assays (Food Chemistry, 2023).
Furthermore, aptamer biosensors have been successfully deployed for rapid onsite detection of pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli, significantly improving food safety monitoring protocols and reducing detection time from days to mere minutes (Sensors and Actuators B, 2023).