Argos Therapeutics Enters into Strategic Research Agreement with Adaptive Biotechnologies

DURHAM, N.C., June 15, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Argos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:ARGS), an immuno-oncology company focused on the development and commercialization of truly individualized immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer based on the Arcelis® technology platform, today announced that it is partnering with Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation, based in Seattle, Washington, to study precise response patterns to Argos’ investigational immunotherapies.

Under the agreement, Adaptive will use its patented immune profiling immunoSEQ® Assay to enable a more in-depth characterization of the immune response induced by Argos’s lead product candidate, AGS-003, which is currently being studied in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and bladder cancer. In addition, Argos is developing its second Arcelis® product candidate, AGS-004, for the treatment and the possible eradication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in patients with HIV-infection or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The application of Adaptive’s immune profiling technology in this setting will enable Argos to further characterize with greater precision the transfer of specific genetic signatures from each patient’s HIV, through AGS-004, to a specific immune response against each patient’s unique virus population.

“We are very excited to be entering into this important research agreement with Adaptive Biotechnologies,” said Dr. Charles Nicolette, Argos’s chief scientific officer.  “Adaptive is our preferred partner because of their established expertise in offering high-throughput immune receptor repertoire characterization and advanced bioinformatics that are ideally suited to analyze precision of target-specific immune activation enabled by Arcelis administration with higher resolution.”

“Argos is on the cutting edge of precision immunotherapy with their advanced Phase 3 immuno-oncology agent, and platform extension into individualized HIV treatment,” said Chad Robins, Adaptive’s president, chief executive officer and co-founder. “As the leader in immunosequencing, Adaptive’s technology is well-suited to uncover the dynamics of the adaptive immune system response to Argos’ therapies.”

About Adaptive Biotechnologies:
Adaptive Biotechnologies is the pioneer and leader in combining high-throughput sequencing and expert bioinformatics to profile T-cell and B-cell receptors. Adaptive is bringing the accuracy and sensitivity of its immunosequencing platform into laboratories around the world to drive ground-breaking research in cancer and other immune-mediated diseases. Adaptive also translates immunosequencing discoveries into clinical diagnostics and therapeutic development to improve patient care. For more information please visit adaptivebiotech.com.

About the immunoSEQ® Platform
Adaptive’s immunoSEQ Platform helps researchers make discoveries in areas such as oncology, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases and basic immunology. The immunoSEQ Assays can identify millions of T- and B-cell receptors from a single sample in exquisite detail.  Offered as a Service or Kit, immunoSEQ Assays provide quantitative, reproducible sequencing results along with access to powerful, easy-to-use analysis tools. The immunoSEQ Assays are for research use only and are not for use in diagnostic procedures.

About the Arcelis® Technology Platform
Arcelis® is a precision immunotherapy technology that captures mutated and variant antigens that are specific to each patient’s disease. It is designed to overcome immunosuppression by producing a durable memory T-cell response without adjuvants that may be associated with toxicity. The technology is potentially applicable to a wide range of different cancers, and is designed to overcome many of the manufacturing and commercialization challenges that have impeded other personalized cancer immunotherapies. The Arcelis® process uses only a small tumor or blood sample and the patient’s own dendritic cells, which are optimized from cells collected by a single leukapheresis procedure. The proprietary process uses RNA isolated from the patient’s disease sample to program dendritic cells to target disease specific antigens. The activated, antigen-loaded dendritic cells are then formulated with the patient’s plasma and administered via intradermal injection.

About Argos Therapeutics
Argos Therapeutics is an immuno-oncology company focused on the development and commercialization of truly individualized immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer using its Arcelis® technology platform. Argos’ most advanced product candidate, AGS-003, is being evaluated in the pivotal ADAPT Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Argos is also developing a separate Arcelis®-based product candidate, AGS-004, for the treatment of HIV, which is currently being evaluated in an investigator-initiated Phase 2 clinical trial aimed at HIV eradication in adult patients.

Forward Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about Argos’ future expectations, plans and prospects, including statements about the expected and potential future closings of the private placement, Argos’ financial prospects, anticipated use of proceeds, future operations and sufficiency of funds for future operations, clinical development of Argos’ product candidates, expectations regarding future clinical trials and future expectations and plans and prospects for Argos and other statements containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “targets,” “may,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including whether the conditions for the potential future closings of the private placement will be satisfied; whether Argos’ cash resources will be sufficient to fund its continuing operations for the periods anticipated; whether results obtained in clinical trials will be indicative of results obtained in future clinical trials; whether Argos’ product candidates will advance through the clinical trial process on a timely basis; whether the results of such trials will warrant submission for approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies; whether Argos’ product candidates will receive approval from regulatory agencies on a timely basis or at all; whether, if product candidates obtain approval, they will be successfully distributed and marketed; and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of Argos’ Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, which is on file with the SEC,  and in other filings Argos makes with the SEC from time to time. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Argos’ views as of the date hereof. Argos anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Argos’ views to change. However, while Argos may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Argos specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Argos’ views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.

 

CONTACT: Media contact: 
Adam Daley 
Berry & Company Public Relations
212-253-8881
adaley@berrypr.com

Investor contact:
John Menditto
Argos Therapeutics, Inc.
919-908-0687
jmenditto@argostherapeutics.com

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