02-5903. Availability for Non-Exclusive, Exclusive, or Partially Exclusive Licensing of U.S. Patent Application Concerning High-Throughput Assays for the Proteolytic Activities of Clostridial Neurotoxins

AGENCY:

Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with 37 CFR 404.6, announcement is made of the availability for licensing of U.S. Patent Application No. 09/962,260 entitled “High Throughput Assays for the Proteolytic Activities of Clostridial Neurotoxins” filed September 25, 2001. Foreign rights are also available (PCT/US01/30188). The United States Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army has rights in this invention.

ADDRESSES:

Commander, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, ATTN: Command Judge Advocate, MCMR-JA, 504 Scott Street, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland 21702-5012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For patent issues, Ms. Elizabeth Arwine, Patent Attorney, [phone]. For licensing issues, Dr. Paul Mele, Office of Research & Technology Assessment, [phone], both at telefax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In this application are described substrates for high-throughput assays of clostridial neurotoxin proteolytic activities. Two types of substrates are described for use in assays for the proteolytic activities of clostridial neurotoxins: (1) Modified peptides or proteins that can serve as FRET substrates and (2) modified peptides or proteins that can serve as immobilized substrates. In both types a fluorescent molecules is present in the substrate, eliminating the requirement for the addition of a fluorigenic reagent. The assays described can be readily adapted for use in automated or robotic systems.

Luz D. Ortiz,

Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.