Garo Armen | Agenus | Biotech Advancing Cancer Treatment

Thank you everybody. It's a privilege to be with you this morning. As I reflect on the nature of this meeting, I can't help but think that every Armenian group I've been associated with always thinks about unity, which is an unachievable outcome. It doesn't make sense to achieve unity in this context, and for Armenians it's an insurmountable objective. The beauty of this conference is that it encourages diversity, which is critically important both biologically and societally. Without diversity, our ability to achieve wonderful things and to survive is in jeopardy. So let's embrace diversity rather than forcing unity. Challenging each other is wonderful, especially in an environment where change is constant. To bet on one horse would be highly risky. Diversity allows us to adapt to different circumstances more rapidly. Reflecting on my journey as founder of Agenus, a cancer immunotherapy company, and COAF, and even healthy living through Aarat Farms, in each effort I've encouraged diversity of thought and inclusiveness. With COAF, we wanted to include communities in the process. With Agenus, founded in 1994, immunotherapy for cancer was not embraced, but we were courageous. We have achieved success in curing some cancer patients, though financial success has not yet come. With COAF, we served 150,000 people in over 100 villages. Let me suggest a few basic rules for success. First, encourage healthy living. Unfortunately, in advanced countries, corporate profits are prioritized at the expense of people's health. We've gone from one extreme to another, but I hope we find a healthier outcome. Second, technology is critical. I've become addicted to artificial intelligence as a thought partner. It allows us to iteratively perfect an idea. My children protested when I started using AI, but it's much more than a writing tool. It's a discussion partner that helps us improve decision-making by gathering facts. I argue with AI tools to perfect ideas. AI is a fantastic outcome for society. If we don't use AI properly, we will obsolete ourselves in 6 to 9 months. To wrap up, a few rules: embrace diversity, have animated discussions, be open to listening, and consider 'what if they are right?' Through diversity, we achieve multiple pathways. Second, become a symbol of healthy living for our children and colleagues. Third, embrace an inclusive philosophy, including those we serve. Fourth, incorporate technology to achieve things more efficiently. I encourage you to perfect the use of AI and other tools to stay ahead, not to compete, but to pave the way through leadership for all. I'll conclude my remarks and am happy to take questions. Sean, I'll turn it to you.

That's a complex subject, but I'll simplify. I got involved in cancer cure in the early 90s based on simple principles. Cancer is a diverse disease; every individual's cancer is different. For decades, presidents have promised a cure in 10 years, but it hasn't happened. I hope the new president will take a big step. Because of diversity, a common drug is almost impossible. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy are not truly targeted. The only way is to activate the immune system so it finds its own path to kill the cancer. Cancer is a tug of war between the disease and the immune system. Weakening the cancer and strengthening the immune system enhances our chances. For example, debulking cancer with surgery when the immune system is intact may be sufficient. If the immune system is weak, we need dramatic improvements in activating it. That's what our company does. For those interested, look at recent publications in Nature Medicine, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and Cancer Discovery, all in the last 6 months. We've also presented at major conferences like ASCO, ESMO, etc. The path forward is exciting. There will be turbulence in the near term, but the promise of cancer cures is more real today than ever before.

We are already doing clinical research in Armenia at the Yerevan Center for Hematology and Cancer. There are brilliant clinical scientists there, like Samuel Bardakian. We sponsor research in his lab and treat patients in clinical research. Let me give you an anecdote. Years ago, in the village of Lernagog, I met a 13-year-old girl, Manushag Aagyan. I introduced the concept of immunology to her. Years later, she introduced herself to me at medical school. She graduated, interned at the Yerevan Center, and now works for Agenus in cancer clinical research, back in Armenia. These connectivities are either God's will or some other superior creature. There are reasons for things to happen.

Sean, can you briefly recap that question?

I encourage you not to think about women or men, but about competent people. When COAF started working in villages, we didn't segregate. To our delight, women constituted the majority of participants. At Agenus, we have a combination of men and women, and we don't segregate. We let the competent person qualify. Many women qualify. We need to look at things on the basis of meritocracy, not sex. If we don't exclude women, you will see a fantastic outcome because so many women are highly qualified. If we don't go the pathway of equal distribution, I can assure you that women will be much more qualified than men in many instances.

It has evolved. The most versatile is ChatGPT. I was using 4.0, now I use 4.5 and also Pro One. But I have more fights with Pro One because it hasn't incorporated the most current information. Last night, it gave me wrong answers. I threatened to cancel my subscription, and it apologized. I also use Anthropic depending on the application, and our scientists use specialized versions for their scientific areas.

I'm delighted that we have an attentive audience. When I had no questions in the beginning, I was going to say I must have been so clear that no questions were needed. But I'm delighted we had some questions. I look forward to interacting with you in the future.