[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 68 (Friday, April 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17400-17402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8875]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing
AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, DHHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The inventions listed below are owned by agencies of the U.S.
Government and are available for licensing in the U.S. in accordance
with 35 U.S.C. 207 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results
of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patent
applications are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage
for companies and may also be available for licensing.
ADDRESSES: Licensing information and copies of the U.S. patent
applications listed below may be obtained by writing to the indicated
licensing contact at the Office of Technology Transfer, National
Institutes of Health, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325, Rockville,
Maryland 20852-3804; telephone: 301/496-7057; fax: 301/402-0220. A
signed Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be required to receive
copies of the patent applications.
Electroacoustic Imaging Methods and Apparatus
Han Wen, Robert S. Balaban (NHLBI)
Serial No. 60/104,823 filed 30 Dec 98
Licensing Contact: John Fahner-Vihtelic; 301/496-7735 ext. 270;
jf36z@nih.gov
Recently, an electroacoustic imaging apparatus and two
electroacoustic imaging methods have been developed. The two methods
are ``forward'' and ``reverse'' electroacoustic imaging which requires
the application of a probing signal, and the detection and measurement
of an induced signal to produce images. The electroacoustic apparatus
offers the advantage of generating 2D and 3D images non-invasively. It
can simultaneously image several contrast mechanisms, including the
Hall effect, the thermoacoustic effect, and the electroaccoustic
effect. Although this device uses a Piezoelectric transducer,
fiberoptic acoustic sensors can also be substituted to take advantage
of advances in acoustic wave detection technology. This technology is
available for licensing opportunities.
Ultrasound Array and Electrode Array for Hall Effect Imaging
Han Wen, Robert S. Balaban (NHLBI)
Serial No. 60/102,478 filed 30 Sep 98
Licensing Contact: John Fahner-Vihtelic; 301/496-7735 ext. 270;
jf36z@nih.gov
Recent developments in ultrasound probe design and ultrasound
detector array technology have provided means for optimal ultrasound
signal detection and 2D/3D image reconstruction in Hall Effect Imaging
(HEI). The new developments include an electrode array, and an
ultrasound array configured and controlled to provide rapid image
acquisition with high contrast and definition. The electrode array
contains split electrodes that control the direction of the electrical
currents responsible for 2D/3D image generation. The ultrasound array
contains shielded ultrasound sensors which overcome the problem of
electromagnetically induced ultrasonic noise that interferes with data
acquisition. In this design each element of the ultrasound array is
connected to a commercially-available preamplifier which can be coupled
to a separate channel of data acquisition circuitry, or digitizer that
allows for digital data acquisition. This technology is available for
licensing opportunities.
Human Cancer Antigen TRP2
M Parkhurst, Sa Rosenberg, Y Kawakami (NCI)
Serial No. 60/105,577 filed 26 Oct 98
Licensing Contact: Elaine Gese; 301/496-7056 ext. 282; e-mail:
eg46t2nih.gov
The current invention embodies the identification of a nine amino
acid peptide derived from the melanoma antigen known as tyrosinase-
related protein 2 (TRP2). The TRP2 peptide is capable of stimulating
cytotoxic T lymphocytes which specifically react with, and lyse,
melanoma cells in the context of HLA-A0201. HLA-A0201 is the most
common subtype of HLA-A2, which is the most commonly expressed family
of Class I MHC molecules in melanoma patients in the U.S. It therefore
is believed that the TRP2 peptide, along or in combination with HLA-A2-
specific peptides from other melanoma antigens, could be used as an
immunotherpeutic vaccine for the prevention and treatment of melanoma
in a large percentage of patients having that form of cancer. In
addition, the peptide could prove useful as a diagnostic reagent for
evaluating the efficacy of immunization in these patients.
[[Page 17401]]
Spectral Cloning--An Innovative Technical and Conceptual Approach
to the Cloning and Characterization of Every Chromosomal Aberration
in Cancer Samples
Ilan R. Kirsch (NCI)
DHHS Reference No. E-216-97/1 filed 29 Jun 98; PCT/US98/13557
Licensing Contact: Manja Blazer; 301/496-7056 ext. 224; e-mail:
mb379e@nih.gov
The invention described in this application provides methods and
related apparatus permitting the detection and characterization of all
chromosomal abnormalities found in a biological sample such as
leukemia, carcinoma or sarcoma.
Cancer is a disease caused by genetic instability. Genetic
Instability is revealed as the DNA point mutations, insertions,
deletions, amplifications, and translocations that distinguish a tumor
from the normal tissue from which it arose. Identification of these DNA
alterations associated with tumor development provides insight into:
(a) the process by which the DNA was altered; and (b) the genes
themselves whose alteration contributes to malignant transformation.
Thus, cloning and characterizing chromosomal translocations (one
particularly dramatic example of genetic instability) gives insight
into:
Cancer etiology
Interaction of a gene with the environment and therefore
preventive strategies
Structural reconfigurations of DNA that accompany
malignant transformation and therefore potential utility for early
diagnosis
Cellular functions and pathways that are targets for
malignant transformation and therefore identify potential candidates
for anti-cancer therapies.
Novel Thioesters and Uses Thereof
Jim A. Turpin, Yongsheng Song, John K. Inman, Mingjun Huang, Anders
Wallqvist, Andrew Maynard, David G. Covell, William G. Rice, Ettore
Appella (NCI & NIAID)
Serial No. 60/089, 842 filed 19 Jun 1998
Licensing Contact: J. Peter Kim; 301/496-7056 ext. 264; e-mail:
jk141n@nih.gov
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the causative agent of
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Drug-resistance is a
critical factor contributing to the gradual loss of clinical benefit to
treatments for HIV infection. Accordingly, combination therapies have
further evolved to address the mutating resistance of HIV. However,
there has been great concern regarding the apparent growing resistance
of HIV strains to current therapies.
The present invention provides for a novel family of thioesters and
uses thereof. These thioesters are capable of inactivating viruses by a
variety of mechanisms, particularly by complexing with metal ion-
complexing zinc fingers. The invention further provides for methods for
inactivating a virus, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),
using these compounds, and thereby also inhibiting transmission of the
virus.
Methods and Compositions for Making Dendritic Cells From Expanded
Populations of Monocytes and for Activating T Cells
EL Nelson, SL Strobl (NCI)
DHHS Reference No. E-181-97/1 filed 20 May 98 (PCT Application PCT/
US98/10311), based upon U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/047, 348
Licensing Contact: Elaine Gese; 301/496-7056 ext. 282; e-mail:
eg46t@nih.gov
The current invention embodies methods for easily generating large
numbers of dendritic cells from IL-3 cultured populations of monocytes.
Dendritic cells are potent antigen presenting cells which are capable
of mediating a variety of cell-mediated (T cell) immune responses, and
therefore are clearly of value for use in immunotherapy. In addition,
dendritic cells are quite rare in peripheral blood and therefore cannot
be isolated in sufficient numbers of use in therapeutic applications.
This method significantly enhances the generation of human dendritic
cells from peripheral blood monocytes making possible more extensive
use and study of this unique cell population and thereby clearly
serving to overcome these difficulties. In addition to the methods
embodied in the invention, ex vivo therapeutic applications,
pharmaceutical compositions and diagnostic methods are claimed, as are
cell cultures for making the dendritic cells.
Method and Composition for Detecting Dihydropyrimidine
Dehydrogenase Splicing Mutations
Frank J. Gonzalez, Pedro Fernandez-Salguero (NCI)
DHHS Reference No. E-157-94/1 filed 20 Mar 96
Licensing Contact: Girish Barua; 301/496-7056 ext. 263; e-mail:
gb18t@nih.gov
Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) is the first and rate
limiting enzyme in the three step metabolic pathway of the catabolism
of thymidine and uracil. In mammals, this pathway is the route for
synthesis of beta-alanine. DPD can be considered an enzyme that is
expressed in most cells, but has been studied extensively in liver,
lymphocytes, and the CNS. DPD is responsible for the metabolism of
fluoropyrimidine drugs, such as the much used chemotherapeutic agent 5-
fluorouracil.
The invention covers isolated nucleic acids that code for DP. It
also includes nucleic acids that code for a DPD polypeptide that
specifically binds to an antibody generated against an immunogen
consisting of DPD polypeptide and its amino acid sequence. Also claimed
are methods for determining whether a cancer patient is at risk of a
toxic reaction to 5-fluorouracil. The methods involve analyzing DPD DNA
or mRNA a sample from the patient to determine the amount of intact DPD
nucleic acid.
Peptidomimetic Inhibitors of Cathepsin D and Plasmepsins I and II
Pavel Majer, Jack Collins, Sergei V. Gulnik, John W. Erickson (NCI)
Serial No. 08/603,737 filed 20 Feb 96; U.S. Patent 5,849,691 issued 15
Dec 98
Licensing Contact: Girish Barua; 301/496-7056 ext. 263; e-mail:
gb18t@nih.gov
The invention relates to the design and synthesis of linear and
cyclic inhibitors of cathespin D and plasmepsins I and II. The present
invention also relates to the uses of these inhibitors for inhibiting
invasion and metastasis of cancerous cells. It also covers the use of
cathepsin D and plasmepsin I and II inhibitors for the prevention and
treatment of Alzheimer's disease and malaria.
Transframe Peptide Inhibitor of Viral Protease
John Louis Medabalimi (NIDDK)
Serial No. 08/539,432 filed 05 Oct 95; U.S. Patent No. 5,872,210,
issued 16 Feb 99
Licensing Contact: J. Peter Kim; 301/496-7056 ext. 264; e-mail:
jk141n@nih.gov
The present invention is directed to small, water-soluble peptides
isolated from a native virus inhibitory sequence. The native peptide is
involved in the step-wise autocatalytic maturation of the virally
encoded protease in a pH dependent manner. the isolated peptide and its
derivatives also inhibit the mature protease. The peptides and its
derivatives may be used to treat virally
[[Page 17402]]
infected cells, in preparing vaccine formulations, in generating
clinically relevant antibodies and anti-idiotypic antibodies, and
generating a screening assay or a kit that can be used to identify
other similarly acting protease inhibitors.
Dated: April 1, 1999.
Jack Spiegel,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of
Technology Transfer.
[FR Doc. 99-8875 Filed 4-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M
