96-20521. Opportunity for Licensing: Homologous Recombination and Cloning of DNA and Control of Gene Expression

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 13, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 42027]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20521]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health


Opportunity for Licensing: Homologous Recombination and Cloning 
of DNA and Control of Gene Expression

AGENCY: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney 
Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, DHHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Institutes of Health is seeking licensees and/or 
CRADA partners for the further development, evaluation, and 
commercialization of homologous recombination and cloning of DNA and 
control of gene expression. The inventions claimed in the patents and 
patent applications referenced below under Supplementary Information 
are available for either exclusive or non-exclusive licensing (in 
accordance with 35 U.S.C. 207 and 37 CFR Part 404) and/or further 
development under a CRADA for clinical and research applications.

ADDRESSES: Questions about this licensing opportunity should be 
addressed to: Larry Tiffany, J.D., Technology Licensing Specialist, 
Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health, 6011 
Executive Boulevard, Suite 325, Rockville, Maryland 20852-3804; 
telephone: [phone], ext. 206; fax: [phone].
    Questions about a CRADA opportunity should be addressed to: Dr. 
Cyrus R. Creveling, Director, Office of Technology Transfer, National 
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Building 31, 
Room 9A35, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892; telephone: 301/496-
5360; fax: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The isolation and cloning of genomic DNA 
fragments is a fundamental technique in molecular biology. Several 
methods are available to amplify and isolate selected DNA fragments, 
the common being polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Major limitations in 
PCR are its error rate and the small fragment size which may be 
reliably amplified. The E. coli enzyme RecA has the ability to 
specifically target single-stranded DNA to complementary target duplex 
DNA to create a three-stranded complex.
    The present technology involves the use of E. coli RecA protein and 
peptides derived from it for: (1) Targeting restriction endonuclease 
cleavage to unique predetermined sites, (2) sequence specific mapping 
and manipulation of complex genomes, (3) diagnosing a genetic mutation, 
and (4) developing therapeutics: site specific gene inactivation, 
correction of gene mutations, control of gene expression.
    These inventions are embodied in the following patents and patent 
applications:
    U.S. Patent 5,460,941--``Method of Targeting DNA''
    U.S. Patent 5,510,473--``Cloning of the RecA Gene from Thermus 
Aquaticus YT-1''--and its DIV, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/
446,413
    U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/483,115--``RecA Peptide''
    U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/001,384--``RecA Assisted 
Cloning of DNA''
    Information about the patent applications and pertinent information 
not yet publicly described can be obtained under a Confidential 
Disclosure Agreement. Respondees interested in licensing the 
invention(s) will be required to submit an Application for License to 
Public Health Service Inventions.
    To expedite the research, development, and commercialization of 
these compounds, the National Institutes of Health will also consider a 
CRADA with a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company in accordance with 
the regulations governing the transfer of Government-developed agents. 
Any proposal to use or develop these compounds will be considered. 
Respondees interested in submitting a CRADA proposal should be aware 
that it may be necessary to secure a license to the above patent rights 
in order to commercialize products arising from a CRADA.

    Dated: August 5, 1996.
Barbara M. McGarey,
Deputy Director, Office of Technology Transfer.
[FR Doc. 96-20521 Filed 8-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M