Argos Therapeutics and Novo Nordisk Announce Agreement to Develop Treatment for Systemic Autoimmune Disorders.DURHAM, N.C. & COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Immunotherapy pioneer Argos Therapeutics and global healthcare leader Novo Nordisk, announced today they have entered into an agreement under which Argos has licensed to Novo Nordisk antibody technology for research and development of a treatment for systemic immune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Definition Systemic lupus erythematosus (also called lupus or SLE) is a disease where a person's immune system attacks and injures the body's own organs and tissues. Almost every system of the body can be affected by SLE. (SLE SLE systemic lupus erythematosus. SLE abbr. systemic lupus erythematosus 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. "This is a confirmation of our ability to identify and develop novel immunotherapeutics," said Jeff Abbey, vice president of business development for Argos Therapeutics. "The relationship with Novo Nordisk will enable us to accelerate the clinical development of one of our pipeline technologies. In addition, Argos maintains its focus on a number of immunotherapies in areas such as cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders Autoimmune Disorders Definition Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which a person's immune system attacks the body's own cells, causing tissue destruction. and transplantation." In collaboration with researchers at the Baylor Institute for Immunology Research and with a grant from the Alliance for Lupus Research About the Alliance for Lupus Research • founded in 1999 by Robert Wood Johnson IV, a member of the founding family of Johnson & Johnson, and owner of the NY Jets , Argos has identified specific monoclonal antibodies that target a molecule, which plays a critical role in the onset and maintenance of systemic autoimmune disorders. The agreement with Argos represents an addition to Novo Nordisk's growing portfolio of biopharmaceutical projects within cancer and inflammation. Commenting on the agreement, Terje Kalland, senior vice president, head of Biopharmaceuticals Research Unit, Novo Nordisk said, "Our strategy is to serve patients with a high unmet medical need by leveraging our core capabilities within protein therapeutics and inflammation through partnerships with leading biotech companies and research institutions. Argos' project has an excellent fit with those strategic objectives, and we are excited about the potential of this new project in our portfolio." "Argos continues to build on its strong track record of forging strategic corporate and academic partnerships to develop products that may one day change the way many diseases are treated," said Michel Greco, former deputy CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. and member of the Board of Aventis Pasteur and current member of the Board of Argos. About lupus Commonly called lupus, systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), is an autoimmune disease autoimmune disease, any of a number of abnormal conditions caused when the body produces antibodies to its own substances. In rheumatoid arthritis, a group of antibody molecules called collectively RF, or rheumatoid factor, is complexed to the individual's own gamma in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues and organs, including joints, kidneys, heart, lungs and brain. Lupus, particularly in children, can be an aggressive disease and treatment options with fewer side effects are urgently needed. This disease, for which there currently is no cure, affects as many as 1.5 million Americans, according to The Lupus Foundation of America The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is the nation's leading non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus. The LFA was founded in 1977, and currently operates a nationwide network of almost 300 chapters, branches and support groups. . In the United States, no new drugs have been approved by the FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. for the treatment of lupus in more than 40 years and current drug therapies, such as corticosteroids Corticosteroids Definition Corticosteroids are group of natural and synthetic analogues of the hormones secreted by the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, more commonly referred to as the pituitary gland. , have significant side effects and other drawbacks. 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 dendritic /den·drit·ic/ (den-drit´ik) 1. branched like a tree. 2. pertaining to or possessing dendrites. den·drit·ic adj. Relating to the dendrites of nerve cells. 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. Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care and biopharmaceuticals. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk has more than 22,000 employees in 79 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. under the symbol 'NVO'. For more information visit novonordisk.com. |
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