Cancer and other diseases had better beware -- Agenus (formerly Antigenics) is packing heat. The firm develops heat shock proteins, which are related to the immune system's response to disease. Its patient-specific vaccines work on the theory that each person's cancer has a unique signature that can be derived from the tumor after it has been removed. The company refers to these vaccines as its Prophage Series, the lead drug candidate in the series, Oncophage, is the first personalized cancer vaccine to receive FDA fast track status, and is being developed to treat kidney and skin cancers. Agenus is also developing viral vaccines and QS-21 Stimulon, an improved vaccine adjuvant to make vaccines more effective.