Durham-based Argos Therapeutics (www.argostherapeutics.com), a private biotechnology company, has entered into an exclusive agreement with Therakos, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, for the research and development of novel treatments based on regulatory T cell technology. Terms of the agreement have not been disclosed. Regulatory T cells are a specialized subpopulation of T cells that actively control immune system responses and prevent immune-mediated diseases. To function properly, the immune system must recognize and discriminate between itself and foreign antigens, however if this recognition fails, the immune system destroys cells and tissues of its own body, resulting in autoimmune diseases. Argos’ treatment, “Arcelis� technology, trains the immune system to recognize and attack the disease.
Argos Therapeutics is a CED member.