Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing

[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