Argos Therapeutics, Inc. And Beckman Coulter, Inc. Sign License Agreement
The patented therapeutic use of CD83 was initially filed by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Beckman Coulter then gained license to it and under the latest agreement, retains rights to develop CD83 within the field of diagnostics.
"As a complement to our dendritic cell-based immunotherapeutic programs, this agreement allows us to advance our CD83 development activities based on its novel immunosuppressive properties," said Jeff Abbey, vice president of business development for Argos Therapeutics. "At the same time, Argos continues to develop immunotherapies in the oncology and infectious disease markets, as these areas represent significant unmet therapeutic needs."
Researchers working with Argos at the University of Erlangen in Erlangen, Germany, 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 autoagressive immune responses without the need for chronic administration and without suppressing the entire immune system. Preliminary data also suggests that CD83 may have clinical utility in the treatment of transplantation rejection and autoimmune diabetes.
In support of this technology platform, Dr. Robert Zhong, Canada Research Chair in Transplantation and Experimental Surgery at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, stated "sCD83 is a very promising agent to inhibit dendritic cells and this novel approach provides great potential to prevent organ rejection and to induce tolerance, thereby eliminating side effects of long-term use of anti-rejection drugs."
About Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune disorders include a variety of painful conditions in which an individual's immune system attacks its own cells, mistaking them as invaders. The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association indicates that approximately 20 percent of Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases, and some 75 percent of those affected are women. Treatment varies depending on the specific disorder involved. Examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive drugs with heavy side effects.
About Transplant Rejection
Transplant rejection occurs when a transplant recipient's immune system attacks a transplanted (donor) organ or tissue. This is because the donor cells are regarded as foreign. Consequently, the "new" organ does not function properly. According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, about 25,000 organ transplants take place per year in the United States. The rate of transplant rejection varies by organ and ranges from 30 to 60 percent. Current transplant rejection treatment includes immunosuppressive agents that also carry significant side effects.
Argos Therapeutics
Argos Therapeutics, Inc., is dedicated to becoming a market leader in the field of immunotherapy. The company uses proprietary technology and know-how to develop dendritic cell-based therapies in the areas of oncology, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders and transplantation. Argos' focus is bringing to market therapeutic options that not only offer new promise for treatment of intractable diseases, but also an improved safety profile and better patient quality of life during treatment.
Contact: For Argos Therapeutics Inc Gibbs & Soell, Inc. Anna Munoz, 919-870-5718 amunoz@gibbs-soell.com
Source: Argos Therapeutics