AGREEMENT AMENDMENT Second Amendment to Agreement Between NewLink Genetics Corporation and Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.

Exhibit 10.44

AGREEMENT AMENDMENT

Second Amendment to

Agreement Between

NewLink Genetics Corporation

and

Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc.

This second amendment to the agreement is entered into by and between NewLink Genetics Corporation (hereinafter SPONSOR) and the Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc. (hereinafter MCGRI).

WHEREAS on November 17, 2006 MCGRI approved and on August 21, 2007 amended, an agreement with SPONSOR for the term from September 5, 2006 through September 5, 2008 under which MCGRI and the Medical College of Georgia agreed to perform the study entitled, [*] under the direction of Dr. Andrew Mellor as Principal Investigator.

NOW, THEREFORE, said agreement is amended as follows:

1.                                       Article 1 - - RESEARCH PERFORMANCE, subsection 1.4 of agreement is deleted and replaced in its entirety to read:

The Agreement Period is approximately September 5, 2006 through September 5, 2009 unless earlier terminated pursuant to this Agreement.

2.                                       Article 2 - - COSTS, BILLINGS, AND OTHER SUPPORT of agreement is amended to include:

Sponsor agrees to pay MCGRI the sum of [*] for the additional performance period of September 6, 2008 through September 5, 2009. Sponsor shall, at a minimum, pay in four equal installments of [*].

3.                                       All other terms and conditions of agreement not expressly amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.

This second amendment to the research agreement is signed below and agreed to by the duly authorized representatives of the parties.