-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, OwOkEjlApKaSwZcnVgcdYyRky6/NyqRFoQy/WmXDPwQsAyMOL2nrqogjNerXMzSH y7C6LuQm5R6cRYWiY7AClQ== 0001171843-11-000168.txt : 20110124 0001171843-11-000168.hdr.sgml : 20110124 20110124090426 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001171843-11-000168 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20110124 ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20110124 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20110124 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AGENUS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001098972 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS (NO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES) [2836] IRS NUMBER: 061562417 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-29089 FILM NUMBER: 11542682 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 162 FIFTH AVENUE SUITE 900 CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10010 BUSINESS PHONE: 212-994-8200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 162 FIFTH AVENUE SUITE 900 CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10010 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ANTIGENICS INC /DE/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19991115 8-K 1 document.htm FORM 8-K FILING DOCUMENT Form 8-K Filing

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K


CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 24, 2011  


AGENUS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


DELAWARE
 
000-29089
 
06-1562417
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)


 
3 Forbes Road
Lexington, MA
 
02421
 
  (Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)  

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   781-674-4400



________________________________________________________________________________
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
    [    ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
    [    ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
    [    ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
    [    ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On January 24, 2011, Agenus Inc. announced it has entered into a research agreement with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center using Agenus' proprietary cancer vaccine technology. The collaboration will test Agenus' cancer vaccine in combination with antibodies that are intended to target specific markers on tumor cells, such as CTLA-4 and PDL-1. This group of antibodies represents a new class of immunotherapeutic agents that are thought to have complementary mechanisms of action with cancer vaccines.

The full text of the press release issued in connection with the announcement is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

The following exhibit is filed herewith:

99.1     Press Release dated January 24, 2011


SIGNATURE

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

    AGENUS INC.
(Registrant)

January 24, 2011
(Date)
  /s/   SHALINI SHARP
Shalini Sharp
Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit

99.1 Press Release dated January 24, 2011
EX-99.1 2 newsrelease.htm PRESS RELEASE Agenus Announces Research Collaboration With Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

EXHIBIT 99.1

Agenus Announces Research Collaboration With Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

MSKCC to Test Agenus' Personalized Cancer Vaccine in Combination With Novel Immunomodulatory Agents

LEXINGTON, Mass., Jan. 24, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Agenus Inc. (Nasdaq:AGEN) today announced it has entered into a research agreement with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) using Agenus' proprietary cancer vaccine technology.

The collaboration will test Agenus' cancer vaccine in combination with antibodies that are intended to target specific markers on tumor cells, such as CTLA-4 and PDL-1. This group of antibodies represents a new class of immunotherapeutic agents that are thought to have complementary mechanisms of action with cancer vaccines. The studies will be performed in the laboratory of Jedd D. Wolchok, M.D., Ph.D., a leader in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Dr. Wolchok serves as the Associate Director of the Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy at MSKCC as well as Director of Immunotherapy Clinical Trials.

"Collaborating with MSKCC and Dr. Wolchok's laboratory opens a new chapter in the development of our personalized cancer vaccine portfolio for targeting later stages of this disease," said Garo Armen, Ph.D., CEO of Agenus. "Partnerships with leading institutions are central to Agenus' strategy to bringing life-changing products for cancer patients to market faster."

Agenus' cancer vaccine is designed to expand and specifically program the army of T-cells responsible for killing tumor cells; however, as cancer grows it becomes smarter and increasingly builds an 'immune fortress' that can protect itself from the attack of T-cells. Therefore, combining a product that activates T-cells with an agent that blocks the signal preventing the T-cells from effectively killing the tumor could have highly potent outcomes.   

"Combination immunotherapy in cancer is increasingly becoming a key focus of research, and this collaboration will add to this important and growing knowledge base," said Dr. Wolchok. "Our interest in Agenus' cancer vaccine is that it contains many antigens that are genetically matched with the cancer as the product is derived from the tumor itself." 

"In addition to this preclinical research effort, we are looking forward to opportunities to rapidly initiate clinical trials, combining our Prophage series of cancer vaccines with either marketed or investigational agents that work against T-cell down regulation," said Dr. Armen.

About Agenus

Agenus (formerly Antigenics) is a biotechnology company working to develop treatments for cancers and infectious diseases. For more information, please visit www.agenusbio.com.

The Agenus logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=8187

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements as to future research and development plans and objectives of Agenus Inc. and the potential application of its cancer vaccine technologies. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by use of terms such as "may," "will," "should," "plan," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to decisions of our collaboration partners, physicians, patients, and regulatory authorities, timing and results of studies involving the company's cancer vaccines, and the risk and uncertainties described under the heading "Ri sk Factors" in the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, and in other filings that we may make with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Agenus cautions investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. These statements speak only as of the date of this document, and Agenus undertakes no obligation to update or revise the statements. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Agenus' business is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, including those identified above. When evaluating Agenus' business and securities, investors should give careful consideration to these risks and uncertainties.

CONTACT:  Marian Cutler (media)
          973.517.0519
          Shalini Sharp (investors)
          800.962.2436
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