Novo Nordisk and Argos Therapeutics, the immuno-therapy pioneer, have entered into an agreement for the development of a treatment for systemic immune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Under the agreement, Argos will license to Novo Nordisk an antibody technology for research and development.

Under the terms of the pact, Argos will receive upto US$69 million, which is an upfront and milestone payments, in addition to royalties on potential future sales of products.

"The inking of an agreement with a global healthcare major Novo Nordisk is a confirmation of our ability to identify and develop novel immuno-therapeutics," said Jeff Abbey, vice president of business development, Argos Therapeutics. "The association with Novo Nordisk will enable us to accelerate the clinical development with one of our pipeline technologies. In addition, Argos maintains its focus on a number of immuno-therapies in areas such as cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders and transplantation," he added.

In collaboration with researchers at the Baylor Institute for Immunology Research and with a grant from the Alliance for Lupus Research, 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 biopharmaceuticals 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 Gréco, former deputy CEO and member of the Board of Aventis Pasteur and current member of the Board of Argos.

The autoimmune disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE), commonly known as Lupus 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 is currently no cure, affects as many as 1.5 million Americans, according to The Lupus Foundation of America. In the United States, no new drugs have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of lupus in more than 40 years and current drug therapies, such as corticosteroids, have significant side effects and other drawbacks.