02-19714. Availability for Non-Exclusive, or Partially Exclusive Licensing of U.S. Patent Application Concerning Chimeric Filovirus Glycoprotein

AGENCY:

Department of the Army, DOD.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with 37 CFR 404.6 and 404.7, announcement is made of the availability for licensing of U.S. Patent Application No. 10/066,506 entitled “Chimeric Filovirus Glycoprotein,” filed January 31, 2002. Foreign rights are also available (PCT/US02/03339). 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, MD 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:

Chimeric GP molecules were constructed which contain portions of both the EBOV and MBGV GP proteins by swapping the subunits between EBOV and MBGV. The chimeric molecules were cloned into an alphavirus replicon, which offers the advantage of high protein expression levels in mammalian cells and is a proven vaccine vector. These chimeric molecules fully protected guinea pigs from MBGV challenge, and conversely protected the animals from EBOV challenge. These results indicate that a protective epitope resides within the GP2 submit of the MBGV GP protein and at least partially within the GP2 subunit of the EBOV GP protein. Additionally these results show that a construction of a single-component bivalent vaccine protective in guinea pigs is achievable.

Luz D. Ortiz,

Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.