Argos Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, has recently received patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the European Patent Office (EPO). These new patents and allowed patent applications cover compositions of matter and methods of use related to Argos´ proprietary immunotherapy technologies.

“We have significantly strengthened our patent portfolio in 2012, further distinguishing the novelty of the science behind our technologies,” said Jeff Abbey, chief executive officer of Argos Therapeutics. “This wide IP protection globally enhances the value of our proprietary Arcelis technology platform and other immune-based therapeutics we are developing. These candidates include AGS-003 to treat metastatic renal cell carcinoma, AGS-004 to treat HIV, AGS-009 to treat lupus, and AGS-010 to treat transplant rejection and autoimmune disease.”

US Patent 8,221,981 is entitled “Primers and probes for the amplification and detection of HIV Gag, Rev and Nef polynucleotides,” and is related to AGS-004. The issued claims cover primers used for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification of Rev RNA from the HIV virus and related methods. This patent is expected to expire in 2028.

US Patent 8,211,701 is entitled “Methods for processing samples in a closed container,” and is related to the Company´s automated process, which can allow a single facility to serve all of North America and can potentially be used to develop immunotherapies for any cancer or pathogen with a similar manufacturing process and equipment. The issued claims cover methods of use for the Company´s automated RNA processing apparatus and selected components. This patent is expected to expire in 2027.

The US notice of allowance is for US Patent Application 13/252,335, entitled ”Anti-interferon alpha monoclonal antibodies and methods for use,“ which is related to AGS-009. The allowed claims cover the use of certain monoclonal antibodies to treat SLE, IDDM, or psoriasis. The patent issuing from this application is expected to expire in 2026.

The EPO notice of allowance is for an EP patent application entitled “Lymphocyte activating antigen HB15, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily.” The allowed claims of EP Patent Application 10188586.1 relate to the use of AGS-010 as a medicament. The patent issuing from this application is expected to expire in 2023.

The Company owns, or has an exclusive license to, over 140 issued patents and pending patent applications in the US and abroad.

Arcelis is a fully personalized, active immunotherapy technology that captures all antigens, including mutated and variant antigens that are specific to each patient´s disease. It has been shown to overcome immunosuppression by producing a durable memory T-cell response without adjuvants that are associated with toxicity. The technology can be leveraged to manufacture personalized therapies for any cancer or infectious disease.

The Arcelis process integrates readily into many current treatment paradigms, using only a small tumor or blood sample and the patient's own dendritic cells, which are derived and optimized following a single leukapheresis procedure. The proprietary process uses RNA isolated from the patient sample to programme the dendritic cells to target the entire disease-antigen repertoire. The activated, antigen-loaded dendritic cells are then formulated into the patient´s plasma and administered as an injection into the skin to produce the desired patient-specific immune response.

Arcelis technology also overcomes many of the manufacturing and commercialization challenges that have impeded other cancer immunotherapies. Automated processes allow a single facility to serve all of North America and can be used to treat any cancer or infectious disease with the same manufacturing process and equipment.