Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, visited one of the city’s most innovative businesses to see the progress it is making in developing a COVID-19 rapid results test, and the work it is carrying out in targeted drug therapy.
Ms. Maskell expressed her admiration for the work being carried out at Aptamer Group, based on York Science Park, which includes collaborations with major diagnostic and healthcare companies to produce a rapid COVID-19 point-of-care test. The company is also working with key partners to develop next-generation treatments for diseases, such as kidney disease.
Arron Tolley, CEO of Aptamer Group, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Rachael to our labs. She was extremely enthusiastic about the company and the range of work we are undertaking.
“We have a number of different projects going on at the moment at Aptamer Group. As a response to the coronavirus pandemic, we’re working with Cytiva and PerkinElmer to develop a lateral flow test, which is a test similar to a pregnancy test kit that will be a saliva-based test for the detection of COVID.
“There is also some significant work on targeted drug therapy being carried out, and I think Rachael found this area of development equally fascinating.”
Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, said: “I had an incredible visit to Aptamer Group. I’ve looked around the labs and had a real walk through the chemical processes involved to develop some of the future generation of drugs, but also the future generation of tests, which is particularly relevant at this time as we fight the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s really exciting for the city of York, but also for the company. Aptamer Group is really in the driving seat of being able to find the solutions to what is an international crisis.
“I wish the company every success and hope that its fantastic work brings the national recognition it deserves.”
