Keys to solving problems with aptamers:
Obtain good specific aptamers
We think that the only way to reliably obtain aptamers that will be specific enough for commercial applications is to use our reinvented Neomer library approach.
Aptamer quality should be based on scientifically stringent binding assays
Without binding assays there is no control that the aptamers have been well selected well. For our project, we use three types of binding assays in our lab.
- For small molecule targets, we use Isothermal titration calorimetry.
- For Larger molecules targets, we use Surface plasmon resonance imaging.
- For Cells as targets we use qPCR quantification of bound aptamers.
Perform selection on all relevant counter targets
Our Neomer library approach allows us to apply the same initial naïve library to different targets. This means that we already have a sequence database against common counter targets like HSA and IgGs. We explore counter targets extensively for each project, and we include everything that is relevant. It is important to eliminate cross-reactivity during selection because it may not fixable afterwards.
Predict secondary structures of aptamers and truncate to optimize
This strategy has been applied extensively by others. It involves predicting the secondary structure of the aptamer and then truncating the primer recognition regions. We believe that a shorter aptamer is still an aptamer. At NeoVentures we do extensive analysis of predicted secondary structure, create a hypotheses for functional structural motifs and test these hypotheses with a second round of binding assays.We include this analysis as part of a project. Aptamers work primarily because of their structure. Removing unnecessary elements and reducing structural flux through analysis of their energy landscape leads to aptamers with higher binding affinity and specificity. We will soon unveil an even deeper approach to structural analysis.
As co-entrepreneurs we approach each project as a business opportunity. If we do not think that an aptamer will provide a feasible solution, we do not enter into the opportunity. Once we have entered into an opportunity, we are committed to making it work. When we encounter unexpected problems, we talk with you and we try to provide creative solutions. We do not always succeed, but we will definitely try. This is why we do not consider ourselves as a CRO. We do not consider a project is a success just because it is finished, we consider it as a success because we have succeeded in solving the problem.
Our passion and commitment to being co-entrepreneurs has driven our innovation to reinvent aptamer science. It would probably be easier if we were a CRO, but it is simply not in in our DNA. Our creativity is not driven by what is needed for aptamers to be commercially successful We need to share the problem and share the responsibility of solving it.
Dr. Gregory Penner academic training was a blend of very practical plant breeding theory combined with molecular biology. He has used this blend of biology and mathematics to first develop and lead a cereal biotechnology research team with the government of Canada and subsequently as a global research leader with Monsanto Inc. He has been a thought leader in aptamer development globally for the last twenty years as CEO and President of NeoVentures. He has led this company to financial stability without outside investment with an integrated approach to aptamer discovery and commercialization. In 2015, he co- founded a second company, NeoNeuro in Paris France, focused on an innovative approach to identify Aptamarkers for complex diseases.
Connect with Dr. Penner on LinkedIn or for company updates, follow NeoVentures.
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