Raptamer Discovery Group - Next Generation Aptamers

RAPTAMERS™

NEXT-GENERATION APTAMERS

FASTER
4-6 Weeks for Initial Results

STRONGER
Higher Affinity Binding

BETTER
No PCR Bias
Extensive Modification Available

RAPTAMERS™

NEXT-GENERATION APTAMERS

FASTER
4-6 Weeks for Initial Results

STRONGER
Higher Affinity Binding

BETTER
No PCR Bias
Extensive Modification Available

FASTER PROCESS

Complete development solution gives you 1 to 2 μmol scale synthesis in a matter of weeks, from receipt of target.

SELECTION

Raptamer Discovery Group uses our innovative, non-SELEX process, which has been developed and refined over the past two decades by leaders in the aptamer field. We conduct a fast, single-round selection against your targets using our proprietary library.

SEQUENCING

Raptamer Discovery Group uses next-generation sequencing technology to identify the nucleotide sequencing in each Raptamer™ candidate, and we use this information and our library data to identify the complete chemical structure, including side chains.

ANALYSIS

Using our sophisticated bioinformatics platform, we rank Raptamer™ candidates by their predicted performance. We have a good sense of candidate quality at this point, and will give you feedback on how the process is going.

SMALL-SCALE SYNTHESIS

We synthesize the highest-ranked Raptamer™ candidates for each target at a 50 nmol scale for use in our internal binding studies.

BINDING STUDY

We test each of the Raptamer™ candidates for binding against your target using the sophisticated ForteBio Octet Red biomolecular interaction platform. We share these results with you to decide which candidates you want made at a medium scale.

MEDIUM-SCALE SYNTHESIS

We synthesize up to 4 candidates at 2 μmol scale, and prepare vials for shipping to you for use in the next steps of your development process.

STRONGER BINDING

Up to 1700x binding affinity enhancement over regular aptamers

Traditional aptamers use just four nucleotides: A, C, G, and T (in the case of DNA aptamers) and A, C, G, and U (in the case of RNA aptamers).

Raptamers™ go further. We generate next-generation aptamers with a backbone made up of standard DNA nucleotides, plus a number of amino acid side chains, through a series of custom modifications that are part of our proprietary process. The side chains give our Raptamers™ more diversity, stronger binding, and increase hydrophobicity, increasing both specificity and antibody-like behavior.

Finally, we have developed a large number of custom modifications that can push binding affinity even further, into the picomolar range.

Osteoprotegerin

K_D determination for the binding of O.2.1 aptamer to mouse OPG in buffer by biolayer interferometry (Octet RED96, Forte Bio). Global fitting was performed assuming a 1:1 binding model. K_D ~1 pM. R² 0.99817.

Plasmodium falciparum

Dehydrogenase (PfLDH)

K_D determination of PLDH binding to aptamers PLDH-M-86 and PLDH-M-106 using the ELONA assay as defined by nonlinear least square curve fitting in buffer conditions. Resulting K_Ds are 32 nM and 12 nM respectively.

Thrombin

Thrombin aptamer shows enhanced binding affinity when modified with indole or phenol. Responses were normalized to the unmodified GA9A aptamer and fold enhancements at indicated positions with either indole or phenol modifications are shown in the above bar graph. K_Ds were determined based on a 1:1 binding model. T4 indole modified aptamer is 1.8 pM, T12 indole modified aptamer is 1.2 pM and T12 phenol modified aptamer is 264 pM.

BETTER, NEXT-GENERATION APTAMERS

A Wide Range of Chemical Functionality

Broader Diversity Without PCR Bias

Traditional SELEX-based aptamer development requires multiple rounds of amplification that result in PCR bias. This bias means that when you get ten candidates from a SELEX process, it’s likely that all ten of those candidates are highly similar in their chemical structure. This lack of diversity has big implications from an intellectual property standpoint.

Raptamers™ are different. Using our proprietary selection process, we generate a much wider diversity of candidates than SELEX. This difference is important when you’re engaged in a diagnostic or drug development process; binding affinity, after all, is only part of the equation in any commercial product. The other factors–stability, pharmacokinetics, half-life, binding site, and so on–are often more important, so it’s beneficial to have a wide range of options early in the process. Eliminating PCR bias is one critical step toward that kind of optionality and make Raptamers™ the ideal solution for developing nucleotide-based commercial products.

Ideal for Commercial Applications

When we perform a selection using our proprietary process, the results generally have amino acid functional groups and backbone modifications that improve target interaction and increase nuclease resistance. These features give Raptamers™ the ability to bind with pseudo protein-protein interactions (i.e. more like antibodies), making them a better option for commercial drug and diagnostic development programs. Raptamers™ improve upon antibodies in terms of cost, development time, discovery method, storage conditions, and shelf-life.

Need Something Special? Contact Us!

Because of our proprietary selection process, Raptamers™ are generated with a diverse range of functional groups: indole, phenol, amine, methylene blue, fluorescent dyes, APIs, and so on. Our existing libraries were designed by highly experienced medicinal chemists to generate useful diversity, not just random diversity for the sake of diversity.

But that doesn’t mean we’ve thought of everything; if there is a particular type of functionality you want built into your Raptamer™, give us a call. We may be able to build you a custom library that generates candidates more closely attuned to your particular needs. Talk to one of our scientists to get more information.

OUR COMPANY

HIGHLY EXPERIENCED

Raptamer Discovery Group are scientists and engineers with decades of experience working with nucleic acids and aptamers. The company not only provides unique products to customers but also is actively involved in research to improve aptamer performance. Our scientists have published in respected journals, such as Nature and Nucleic Acid Research, and we have worked with leading companies and research institutes around the world.

RDG is part of a much larger, private company with annual revenues over the past 5 years averaging more than $300 million. We are committed to quality and great customer service, and aspire to being the premier commercial aptamer discovery organization in the world. We continue to invest in innovation and improvement, and have worked with many leading institutions and companies around the world, including:

Raptamer Discovery Group’s mission is to help you find great binding molecules for your research or commercial application. Faster, stronger, better: the Raptamer™ way!

Unique Targets

Raptamers™ Discovered

International Clients

CONTACT

Let’s Discover a Raptamer™ Together!

Send us a message and our technical expert will get back to you.

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

3900 Essex Lane

Suite 575

Houston, TX 77027

EMAIL

contact@raptamer.com