NewLink Genetics Corp. has won the inaugural DuPont Pioneer innovationLEADER of the Year award.  

The award recognizes an individual or organization for originality, leadership and impact. NewLink will be honored at the unveiling party for the 2015 edition of innovationIOWA magazine 5-7 p.m. March 3 at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.

The Ames-based company has made international news in recent months for its efforts to develop cancer immunotherapies and because of its work on an Ebola vaccine. NewLink also drew attention late last year after signing a deal with Genentech Inc. — potentially worth up to $1 billion — to develop cancer treatments. Genentech paid $150 million up front.

NewLink, which employs more than 100, was formed in 1999 by Dr. Charles Link and Dr. Nick Vahanian. Their work has focuses on overcoming the immune system’s failure to recognize cancer and the ability of tumors to suppress the immune system.