Aptagen
Aptagen, LLC is a privately-held Jacobus, PA biotechnology company that designs and develops custom DNA/RNA aptamers — synthetic antibody alternatives — as a fee-for-service R&D contract for pharmaceutical, biotech, academic, and industrial researchers. It also sells DIY discovery kits, custom oligos and peptides, and runs an onsite training program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersJacobs Creek, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Aptagen does
Aptagen, LLC (also branded APTAGEN Labs) is a privately-held U.S. biotechnology and life-sciences company operating out of a single laboratory in Jacobus, Pennsylvania, focused on the development of aptamers — synthetic DNA or RNA ligands used as an alternative to antibodies for target recognition. The company self-describes as "a global leader" in aptamer development with "over 30 years of experience" and serves pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, and industrial customers including Merck, Genentech, Biogen IDEC, MedImmune, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Harvard, Penn State, Nestlé, GE, and IBM. Its technology platform includes the proprietary Melting Off SELEX selection method for structure-switching aptamers, a portfolio of chemical modifications (HMAs, 2'-F-RNA, PEGylation), and three branded sub-platforms: Apta-beacons/Apta-sensors (a "No Capturing. No Washing. Just READ" diagnostic format), Peptimers (peptide-based aptamers), and Aptabodies (next-generation antibody-replacement aptamers).
The company's primary revenue engine is a fee-for-service custom aptamer R&D contract offering under which clients retain 100% of generated IP and receive a satisfaction guarantee; the Apta-Index database of 1,014+ curated aptamers is offered as a free reference tool to drive lead generation. Secondary revenue lines include direct online sales of DIY Demo/Discovery Kits ($199.99 Apta-Beacon demo kit, $10,000 Aptamer Discovery Kit), custom oligonucleotide and custom peptide synthesis ordered through the website, hourly mentoring/consultation services at $500/hr, and a 6-month onsite Aptamer Workshop & Training Program with free housing. The business is founder-led (G. Thomas Caltagirone, Founder/President/CEO), small (1-10 employees), and bootstrapped — no funding history, parent company, or M&A activity is disclosed in the available data.
Aptagen firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aptagen
- Legal name
- Aptagen, LLC
- Website
- https://aptagen.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Aptagen, LLC is a privately-held Jacobus, PA biotechnology company that designs and develops custom DNA/RNA aptamers — synthetic antibody alternatives — as a fee-for-service R&D contract for pharmaceutical, biotech, academic, and industrial researchers. It also sells DIY discovery kits, custom oligos and peptides, and runs an onsite training program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aptagen industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aptamer Development Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Library & Diversity Generation Platforms (display libraries, DNA-encoded libraries for biologics, variant libraries) (HLAAAIAL)
Keywords
Where Aptagen is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jacobs Creek
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Aptagen business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- R&D Contract Service: Fee-for-service custom aptamer discovery and development projects where the client owns 100% of the IP. Project-based engagement initiated via "R&D Inquiry" form, with services delivered against challenging targets and a satisfaction guarantee. Primary revenue engine.
- Demo / Discovery Kit Product Sales: Direct online sales of Apta-Beacon demo kits ($199.99) and the full Aptamer Discovery DIY kit ($10,000.00) for researchers who want to perform aptamer selection themselves.
- Custom Oligo & Custom Peptide Synthesis: Custom oligonucleotide and custom peptide synthesis services purchased through online order/intake forms.
- Consultation Services: Hourly consultation/mentoring at $500/hr for clients performing R&D themselves; requires a $5,000 non-refundable upfront deposit to initiate the mentoring relationship during DIY work.
- Aptamer Workshop & Training Program: 6-month onsite DIY workshop where Aptagen trains client researchers to develop aptamers against their targets; includes free housing, full-time schedule, and lab hours.
- Validation / Characterization Services: Optional follow-on fee-for-service to validate or characterize aptamers listed in the Apta-Index or developed by third parties, offered on request for an additional charge.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Aptamer Discovery Kit (DIY) — full hands-on aptamer selection kit using Melting Off SELEX. |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Apta-Beacon (GQ-EXPAR, TMB) demo kit — colorimetric assay demonstrating small-molecule specificity. |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Apta-Beacon (FQ, FAM-Dabcyl) demo kit — fluorescence-quencher molecular beacon for adenosine detection. |
| Other | Multi-year contract | R&D Contract Service — custom aptamer discovery/development project. |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Pay-as-you-go | Consultation / Mentoring Service — DIY support by Aptagen scientists. |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Aptamer Workshop & Training Program (Onsite DIY). |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Aptagen product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aptagen is a biotechnology contract research organization that designs, develops, and synthesizes aptamers (synthetic DNA/RNA antibody alternatives) on a fee-for-service basis. Its core offering is custom aptamer R&D for clients in pharma, biotech, and academia, complemented by three proprietary technology platforms (Apta-Beacons/Apta-sensors, Peptimers, and Aptabodies), custom oligo and peptide synthesis, the Apta-Index database, demo/discovery kits, and consulting/training programs.
Product overview
Aptagen (APTAGEN Labs) is a biotechnology and life-sciences company offering a portfolio of nucleic-acid-based synthetic-antibody products and services built around a core custom aptamer R&D contract service. The portfolio centers on chemically modified aptamers for biomarker discovery, diagnostics, cell/tissue targeting and imaging, and drug discovery/delivery, complemented by three named technology platforms — Apta-Beacons & Apta-sensors, Peptimers™ (apta-peptides), and Aptabodies™ (next-generation aptamers). Supporting offerings include the Apta-Index™ searchable aptamer database, custom oligo and custom peptide synthesis services, three demo/discovery kits (the DIY Aptamer Discovery Kit plus two Apta-Beacon demo kits), and several engagement models — full-service R&D contracts, joint grant collaborations, hourly consultation, and a 6-month onsite Aptamer Workshop & Training Program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Apta-Index™: The Apta-Index™ (Aptamer Database) — a user-friendly database on aptamers compiled from published scientific literature.
- Apta-beacons / Apta-sensors
- Peptimers™
- Aptabodies™
Products and services
- R&D Contract Service (Custom Aptamer Development) Fee-for-service custom aptamer discovery and development for clients in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life-sciences, and academic research. The client retains 100% of the resulting IP and Aptagen guarantees its services, taking on challenging targets and delivering positive results.
- Apta-Beacons & Apta-sensors Platform Aptagen's diagnostic assay platform using a "No Capturing. No Washing. Just READ" format based on structure-switching aptamer beacons. Detects small molecules, protein biomarkers, and cells in various sample matrices while eliminating the multiple target-manipulation steps required by ELISA and Luminex-style assays.
- Peptimers™ (Apta-peptides) Amino acid-based biopolymers (peptides) treated as a class of aptamer by Aptagen, capable of binding targets in the same manner as nucleic-acid aptamers and oligos. Extends the aptamer concept beyond nucleic acids to peptide recognition elements for synthetic biology and bio-industrial applications.
- Aptabodies™ (NextGEN Aptamers) Aptagen's next-generation aptamers positioned as "the future of antibodies." Antibody-like recognition elements built on aptamer chemistry with enhanced properties for use as an alternative antibody-like recognition platform.
- Apta-Index™ (Aptamer Database) A searchable online database of 1,014+ published aptamers indexed by target type, units, chemistry type, and aptazyme status, curated from the published scientific literature. Functions as a free reference tool for the scientific community and as a lead-generation asset for Aptagen's services.
- Aptamer Discovery Kit (DIY) A $10,000 USD do-it-yourself kit demonstrating the use of Melting Off SELEX to produce structure-switching aptamers via biotinylated-oligo capture on streptavidin-coated magnetic beads. Sold to researchers who want to perform aptamer selection themselves.
- Apta-Beacon Demo Kit (GQ-EXPAR, TMB) A $199.99 demo kit that showcases a colorimetric apta-beacon assay for distinguishing small molecule targets such as theophylline versus caffeine, with an alternative fluorescent format available for higher sensitivity.
- Apta-Beacon Demo Kit (FQ, FAM-Dabcyl) A demo kit using a fluorescence-quencher molecular beacon format to detect the small molecule adenosine, with optional user-supplied components to demonstrate aptamer specificity.
- Custom Oligos Custom oligonucleotide synthesis and purchase-order service offered as part of Aptagen's broader oligo and aptamer production capabilities. Available for direct online ordering.
- Custom Peptides Custom peptide synthesis service complementing Aptagen's aptamer and peptimer offerings, with intake available through the website request form.
- Consultation Services Mentoring and consultation services provided at $500/hr (with email and phone support) for clients who perform aptamer discovery work themselves, requiring an upfront $5,000 non-refundable deposit to initiate the mentoring relationship.
- Aptamer Workshop & Training Program (Onsite DIY) A 6-month onsite full-time program at Aptagen's Jacobus, PA facility to train client researchers in aptamer development against targets of their interest. Free housing is provided.
Quantifiable outcome
- Manufacturing costs and lead times are lower than for monoclonal antibody production; once the sequence is known, aptamers can be synthesized on demand.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Aptagen
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Aptagen technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Aptagen partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Aptagen competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SomaLogic: SomaLogic operates a large-scale aptamer-based proteomics platform (SomaScan) and provides aptamer selection and assay-development services, making it the closest large-scale direct peer to Aptagen's custom aptamer discovery and aptamer-based diagnostic offerings.
- Aptamer Group: Aptamer Group is a UK-based company that develops custom aptamers for diagnostic and therapeutic applications via its Optimer platform, directly competing with Aptagen's R&D contract service and modified-aptamer chemistry offerings.
- NeoVentures Biotechnology: NeoVentures is an early-stage aptamer biotech offering custom aptamer selection services and aptamer-based diagnostic development, closely mirroring Aptagen's R&D contract and Apta-beacon-like assay platforms.
- BasePair Biotechnologies: BasePair Biotechnologies provides custom aptamer discovery and development services for research and diagnostic applications, directly overlapping with Aptagen's core contract service business.
- Creative Biolabs: Creative Biolabs offers custom aptamer selection, modification, and aptamer-based conjugate development services for therapeutic and diagnostic clients, representing a direct peer in the aptamer CRO space.
Broad incumbents
- Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT): IDT (Danaher) is a major manufacturer of custom oligonucleotides and offers some aptamer-related products; it competes with Aptagen's custom oligo synthesis service and brings significantly broader scale and catalog depth.
- TriLink BioTechnologies: TriLink (now part of Maravai LifeSciences) provides custom oligonucleotide and mRNA synthesis at scale, overlapping with Aptagen's custom oligo business and offering a much larger catalog and GMP manufacturing capability.
- Bio-Rad Laboratories: Bio-Rad is a broad life-science tools incumbent with antibody, protein, and immunoassay offerings that overlap with Aptagen's diagnostic platform ambitions, and is also listed as an Aptagen customer.
- Eurofins Genomics: Eurofins Genomics offers custom oligo synthesis, sequencing, and a range of molecular biology services globally, representing a much larger-scale alternative for Aptagen's custom synthesis and discovery-kit customers.
- Abcam: Abcam (now part of Danaher) is the dominant antibody reagent supplier and is the primary incumbent Aptagen positions itself against with its "Forget Antibodies. Use Aptamers!" branding.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Aptagen social profiles
Digital presenceAptagen financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aptagen leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Aptagen funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aptagen M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aptagen
What does Aptagen do?
Aptagen is a biotechnology contract research organization that designs, develops, and synthesizes aptamers (synthetic DNA/RNA antibody alternatives) on a fee-for-service basis. Its core offering is custom aptamer R&D for clients in pharma, biotech, and academia, complemented by three proprietary technology platforms (Apta-Beacons/Apta-sensors, Peptimers, and Aptabodies), custom oligo and peptide synthesis, the Apta-Index database, demo/discovery kits, and consulting/training programs.
Is Aptagen a public or private company?
Aptagen is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Aptagen founded?
Aptagen was founded in 2004. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Aptagen based?
Aptagen is headquartered in Jacobs Creek, United States, in the North America region.
How does Aptagen make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. R&D Contract Service is the primary driver. The others are demo / Discovery Kit Product Sales, custom Oligo & Custom Peptide Synthesis, consultation Services, aptamer Workshop & Training Program and validation / Characterization Services.
Who are Aptagen's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SomaLogic, Aptamer Group, NeoVentures Biotechnology, BasePair Biotechnologies and Creative Biolabs. Broad incumbents are Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), TriLink BioTechnologies, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Eurofins Genomics and Abcam.
Does Aptagen have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aptagen.
What industry is Aptagen in?
Aptagen's product category is Aptamer Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAIAL, Library & Diversity Generation Platforms (display libraries, DNA-encoded libraries for biologics, variant libraries). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2835.