01-18281. National Cancer Institute (NCI); Development of Therapeutic Antibodies and Vaccines From Tumor Associated Antigens in Human Lymphoma

AGENCY:

National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, PHS, DHHS.

ACTION:

Notice of an opportunity for Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA).

An opportunity for a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) is available for collaboration with the NCI intramural Center for Cancer Research (CCR) to develop therapeutic antibodies and vaccines from novel tumor associated antigens in human lymphoma. This collaboration specifically excludes idiotype as the lymphoma antigen. Collaborative projects will focus upon cancer and/or areas of high public health significance and high national and international priority.

SUMMARY:

Pursuant to the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 (FTTA, 15 U.S.C. 3710 as amended; and Executive Order 12591 of April 10, 1987, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the Public Health Service (PHS) of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) seeks one Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company to develop therapeutic antibodies and vaccines from tumor associated antigens in human lymphoma. The CRADA would have an expected duration of one (1) to five (5) years. The goals of the CRADA include the rapid publication of research results and timely commercialization of products, and/or methods of treatment or prevention that may result from the research. The CRADA Collaborator will have an option to negotiate the terms of an exclusive or non-exclusive commercialization license to subject inventions arising under the CRADA and which are the subject of the CRADA Research Plan.

ADDRESSES:

Proposals and questions about this CRADA opportunity may be addressed to Jeffrey W. Thomas, Ph.D., Technology Transfer Branch, National Cancer Institute, Fairview Center, Room 502, Frederick, MD 21701 (phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail]). Scientific inquires should be submitted to Larry W. Kwak, M.D., Ph.D., CCR, National Cancer Institute, Bldg. 567, Room 205, Frederick MD, 21702-1201 (phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; e-mail [e-mail]).

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Inquiries regarding CRADA proposals and scientific matters may be forwarded at any time. Confidential, preliminary CRADA proposals, preferably two pages or less, must be submitted to the NCI on or before August 22, 2001. Guidelines for preparing final CRADA proposals will be communicated shortly thereafter to all respondents with whom initial confidential discussions will have established sufficient mutual interest. CRADA proposals may be accepted after the initial 30 day period if a CRADA Collaborator is not identified from the initial pool of respondents.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Technology Available

The intramural CCR NCI is seeking a collaborative partner to develop therapeutic antibodies and vaccines from novel tumor associated antigens (TAAs) in human lymphoma. Identification of novel TAA proteins differentially expressed in human lymphoma samples may be useful targets for the development of such therapeutic antibodies and vaccines. This collaboration specifically excludes idiotype as the lymphoma antigen. The CCR has experience with collection and characterization of primary human lymphomas, understanding of basic lymphoma immunobiology, and unique reagents generated from patients who have undergone immunotherapy. As part of the proposed collaboration, the CCR will utilize its expertise to collect and characterize human lymphoma samples prior to protein and genetic analysis. Also, clinical data from well-characterized vaccinated patients will be available for clinical correlation. CCR is seeking a collaborative partner with experience in proteomics to identify TAAs differentially expressed in lymphoma samples that may have potential as therapeutic or diagnostic targets. For example, the partner may have expertise in liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify proteins differentially expressed in lymphomas, compared to normal B lymphocytes. Additionally, the use of gene expression techniques to confirm the proteomics results is envisioned. Genetic analysis of the identified TAAs will be essential in the development of effective immunotherapies; thus, the collaborative partner must have a strong background in genetic analysis to understand the effects of variations (e.g. polymorphisms) and to recognize genetic components that could be used to develop effect vaccines and therapeutic antibodies. Thus, the potential collaborator must be a leader in proteomics, bioinformatics and genomics and have a demonstrated interest, expertise, or ability in the development of cancer vaccines.

NCI and Collaborator Responsibilities

The role of the National Cancer Institute in this CRADA will include, but not be limited to:

1. Providing intellectual, scientific, and technical expertise and experience to the research project.

2. Providing the Collaborator with human lymphoma samples suitable for proteomic and genomic analysis.

3. Planning research studies and interpreting research results.

4. Publishing research results.

The role of the CRADA Collaborator may include, but not be limited to:

1. Providing significant intellectual, scientific, and technical expertise or experience to the research project.

2. Providing essential research materials, such as enzymes or other reagents, extracts, compounds, hardware, software and access to databases.

3. Planning research studies and interpreting research results.

4. Providing technical expertise and/or financial support (e.g. facilities, personnel and expertise) for CRADA-related research as outlined in the CRADA Research Plan.

5. Publishing research results.

Selection criteria for choosing the CRADA Collaborator may include, but not be limited to:

1. The ability to collaborate with NCI on research and development of this technology involving the development of lymphoma vaccines. This ability can be demonstrated through experience, expertise, and the ability to contribute intellectually in this or related areas.

2. The demonstration of adequate resources to perform the research, development and commercialization of this technology (e.g. facilities, personnel and expertise) and accomplish objectives according to an appropriate timetable to be outlined in the CRADA Collaborator's proposal.

3. The willingness to commit best effort and demonstrated resources to the research, development and commercialization of this technology as defined above.

4. The demonstration of expertise in the commercial development, production, marketing and sales of antitumor products.

5. The willingness to cooperate with the National Cancer Institute in the timely publication of research results.

6. The agreement to be bound by the appropriate DHHS regulations relating to human subjects, PHS policies relating to the use and care of laboratory animals, and the dissemination of research tools according to NIH policy.

7. The willingness to accept the legal provisions and language of the CRADA with only minor modifications, if any. These provisions govern the equitable distribution of patent rights to CRADA inventions. Generally, the rights of ownership are retained by the organization that is the employer of the inventor, with (1) the grant of a license for research and other Government purposes to the Government when the CRADA Collaborator's employee is the sole inventor, or (2) the grant of an option to elect an exclusive or non-exclusive license to the CRADA Collaborator when the Government employee is the sole inventor.

Dated: July 11, 2001.

Kathleen Sybert,

Chief, Technology Transfer Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health.