DURHAM, N.C., Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Argos Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that its late scientific co-founder and scientific advisor Ralph M. Steinman, M.D., was awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine for the discovery of dendritic cells as critical sentinels of the immune system.
Dr. Steinman’s discovery of dendritic cells and his research of dendritic cell biology and the role of dendritic cells in adaptive immunity have led to the development of Argos’ core technology, Arcelis.
“The Nobel Prize is further validation of the lifelong work of Dr. Steinman and Argos looks forward to continuing his work through further development of its dendritic cell-based immunotherapies,” said Charles Nicolette, Ph.D., Argos’ chief scientific officer and vice president of research and development. “We are planning to advance our Arcelis immunotherapy for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, AGS-003, into a global Phase 3 clinical trial.”
Dr. Nicolette added, “We extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Steinman’s family for his untimely passing.”
Dr. Steinman was a Henry G. Kunkel Professor at The Rockefeller University and a senior physician at The Rockefeller University Hospital. His research focused on the immune system including the human immune system in the setting of several diseases. His research aimed at developing vaccines and immune-based therapies for tumors, infections and autoimmune diseases. Dr. Steinman received a B.S. degree from McGill University and an M.D. from Harvard University.
About Argos Therapeutics
Argos Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of fully personalized immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases based on its Arcelis technology platform. Using biological components from each patient, Arcelis-based immunotherapies employ the patient’s dendritic cells to activate an immune response specific to the patient’s disease. Argos’ most advanced product candidates include AGS-003 for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, or mRCC, and AGS-004 for the treatment of HIV.
Contact:
Jeff Abbey
Argos Therapeutics
(919) 287-6308
jabbey@argostherapeutics.com
SOURCE Argos Therapeutics, Inc.
