Durham-based Argos Therapeutics, the Triangle Business Journal reports, has landed a $21 million contract from the National Institutes of Health to develop cell products designed to train the immune system to combat HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Argos, which employs about 75 Triangle workers, said funds from the five-year deal will be used to help determine whether Argos' current HIV immunotherapy, which is in clinical trials, stimulates an immune response to HIV and to fund the development of new HIV immunotherapy candidates.

Argos said it has partnered with a number of institutions that will participate in the development program. The contract award will cover nearly all of the costs associated with developing the next-generation HIV immunotherapies.

The contract comes from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the NIH.

Argos is presenting at the SEBIO Investor Forum 2006 November 8-10, 2006.