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Corporate Partners
In June 2004, Argos signed a broad collaboration agreement with Kirin
Brewery’s Pharmaceutical Division for developing therapies using
dendritic cells. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will
collaborate to develop and commercialize dendritic cell-based therapies,
initially in the areas of cancer and infectious diseases. Argos and Kirin
are jointly conducting research and development and will share profits
worldwide. Argos will commercialize in the United States and Canada;
Kirin will commercialize in key Asian markets; and opportunities in Europe,
Latin America and other global regions will be determined jointly. As
part of the agreement, Kirin made a $5 million equity investment in Argos
and has a representative on Argos’ board of directors. Kirin is
co-funding all of Argos’ RNA-loaded dendritic cell immunotherapies
currently under development and contributed approximately $30 million
through 2006.
Earlier in 2004, Argos entered into a licensing transaction
with Geron Corporation in which Argos received five million shares of
Geron stock, valued at over $43 million at the time of the transaction,
in exchange for granting Geron the co-exclusive right to use Argos’ platform
technology in cancer therapeutics using defined antigens. Argos retains
co-exclusive rights to use the platform technology with defined antigens,
and exclusive rights to use it with total tumor RNA and other uncharacterized
antigens.
In 2006, Argos and Novo Nordisk entered into an agreement under which
Argos licensed to Novo Nordisk antibody technology for research and development
of a treatment for systemic immune disorders, including systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE). Under the terms of the agreement, Argos will receive
up to $69 million comprised of up front and milestone payments, in addition
to royalties on potential future sales of products.
Future Partnership Opportunities
Argos’ partnership with Kirin is initially focused on developing and commercializing
dendritic cell-based immunotherapeutics in the areas of cancer and infectious
diseases. Opportunities outside of American, Canadian and Asian markets will
be determined jointly and may result in additional partnerships or strategic
alliances. In addition, the parties may in the future seek a partner for the
development of immunotherapeutics for infectious diseases.
Argos is currently seeking a partner for its development of the soluble protein,
CD83, as a therapy for autoimmune disorders and transplantation. Researchers
working with Argos discovered that CD83 is an effective immunosuppressant and
able to inhibit paralysis in a model of multiple sclerosis in both an active
and pre-treatment setting. In contrast to other immunosuppressive agents, this
soluble protein can target auto-aggressive immune responses without the need
for chronic administration and without suppressing the entire immune system.
Preliminary data also suggests that CD83 may have therapeutic utility in transplantation
rejection and autoimmune diabetes.
For information on other partnership opportunities, contact
us.
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