BioWorld Today here continues its occasional listings of government agencies seeking industrial licensees to commercialize their biotechnology-related research and development inventions. Commercialization rights are offered by the National Institutes of Health, Office of Technology Transfer (OTT). Announcements of the following 28 licensing opportunities have been submitted recently to the Federal Register.
To obtain licensing information and copies of the U.S. patent issuances or applications listed below, contact the OTT licensing specialists indicated.
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
Probes For Enteroinvasive E. coli And Shigella Species
DNA probes for enteroinvasive E. coli and Shigella using smaller sequences are described. This probe is a more reliable and sensitive diagnostic than that currently available.
U.S. Patent: 5,041,372
Issued: 8/20/91
Inventors: Lampel, K.A., et al.
Contact: Carol Salata, (301) 496-7735, ext. 232
NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
Peptide Antagonists Of Cell Proliferation Protein Kinase
Protein kinase R is a critical enzyme in the interferon signalling pathway which has been implicated in cross-talk between this pathway and the tumor necrosis factor-a apoptosis signalling pathway. Thus, peptide antagonists of this kinase may inhibit apoptosis or stimulate cell proliferation under conditions of cell cycle arrest.
Application: 60/023,307
Filed: 7/30/97
Inventors: Bottaro, D.P., et al.
Contact: Susan S. Rucker, (301) 496-7057, ext. 245
Oncogene Activation Associated With Progression Of HIV Infection
Binding of the HIV glycoprotein during cell infection leads to the activation of the c-mos oncogene. Modulators of c-mos activity can be used as HIV therapeutics because cell death can be induced by over-expression of this gene.
Application: 60/093,121
Filed: 7/15/98
Inventor: Cohen, D.J.
Contact: George Keller, (301) 496-7735, ext. 246
Fluorescent Probes For DNA Sequence Determination Without Product Separation
Fluorescent guanosine analogs lose intensity when incorporated into oligonucleotides. This property allows them to be indicators of hairpin hybridization probes because fluorescent intensity increases when these analogs are squeezed out of the strand during annealing.
U.S. Patent: 5,612,468
Issued: 3/18/97
Inventor: Hawkins, M.E., et al.
Contact: L. Manja R. Blazer, (301) 496-7056, ext. 224
Protein Ligand That Binds The Far Upstream Regulatory Element Of The c-myc Gene And Maximizes Its Transcription
A newly isolated gene sequence encodes a protein that binds to the far upstream element of the c-myc gene. This binding protein may be used to analyze mutations and translocations of its encoding gene or the c-myc gene that are involved in carcinogenesis.
U.S. Patent: 5,734,016
Issued: 3/31/98
Inventor: Levens, D.L., et al.
Contact: Richard Rodriguez, (301) 496-7056, ext. 287
Enhanced Antineoplastic Alkylating Agents
Oligodeoxyribonucleotides that contain substituted or unsubstituted O6-benzylguanine are potent inhibitors of human O6-alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase. This property allows them to be potent enhancers of antineoplastic alkylating agents that are used in chemotherapy.
Application: 09/023,726
Filed: 2/13/98
Inventor: Moschel, R., et al.
Contact: Girish Barua, (301) 496-7056, ext. 263
Protein Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors With Anti-Cell Growth Activity
Lavendustin A analogs are inhibitors of protein kinases. This property allows them to be useful therapeutics for treating proliferative diseases.
Application: 60/076,330
Filed: 2/27/98
Inventor: Narayanan, V.L., et al.
Contact: Girish Barua, (301) 496-7056, ext. 263
Interleukin-4 And Tumor Necrosis Factor-a To Treat HIV Infection
HIV isolates can be characterized according to their susceptibility to the viral replication inhibiting effects of interleukin-4 (IL-4). After this determination, combinations of tumor necrosis factor-a and IL-4, its analogs, and/or inhibitors can be used to treat infected patients.
DHHS Reference: E-160-96/1
Filed: 9/18/98
Inventor: Pavlakis, G.N., et al.
Contact: J. Peter Kim, (301) 496-7056, ext. 264
_2-Microglobulin Fusion Proteins Activate Cytotoxic T Cells
Fusion proteins have been constructed from _2-microglobulin, a component of the MHC-1 complex, and immunologically active proteins, such as the co-stimulatory molecule B7. These fusion proteins, and the nucleic acids encoding them, activate cytotoxic T cells, thus serving as therapeutics for viral infection and cancer.
Application: 60/088,813
Filed: 6/10/98
Inventors: Ribaudo, R.K., et al.
Contact: Peter Soukas, (301) 496-7056, ext. 268
Modified Neurotoxin For Use In Kaposi's Sarcoma
By adding the four naturally-occurring carboxy-terminal amino acids of its signal sequence to eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, this derivative becomes selectively cytotoxic to Kaposi's sarcoma cells in vitro. Thus, this modified neurotoxin may be useful in developing drugs for this HIV-associated cancer.
Application: 60/106,732
Filed: 11/2/98
Inventors: Rybak, S.M., et al.
Contact: J.R. Dixon, (301) 496-7056, ext. 206
Ligand For Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor
The protein expressed by the B5t over-expressed gene binds to the tumor suppressor expressed by the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene. Cells transfected with this over-expressed gene can be useful as tools for studying cell cycle control and carcinogenesis.
Application: 60/079,567
Filed: 3/27/98
Inventors: Thorgeirsson, S.S., et al.
Contact: Susan S. Rucker, (301) 496-7057, ext. 245
Human Cancer Antigen
A novel cancer antigen has been identified and isolated and its encoding gene sequenced. This antigen is recognized by cytotoxic T cells. Initial data indicate it may be particularly useful against melanoma.
DHHS Reference: E-265-97/1
Filed: 9/21/98
Inventors: Wang, R., et al.
Contact: Elaine Gese, (301) 496-7056, ext. 282
Mammalian Gene Insertion Libraries
Retrovirus-based, replication-deficient vectors are randomly inserted into cellular genomic DNA. By assembling these cells, a library is created that contains the majority of genes in a particular genome that now have these insertions in them. By using these cells to make transgenic mice, the function of these interrupted genes can be correlated to their structure.
Application: 09/069,127
Filed: 4/28/98
Inventors: Zheng, X., et al.
Contact: Richard Rodriguez, (301) 496-7056, ext. 287
NATIONAL HEART, LUNG AND BLOOD INSTITUTE
Adeno-Associated Virus Gene Therapy Vector
The full-length genome of adeno-associated virus type 4 (AAV4) has been cloned and characterized. AAV4, like other members of this virus family, may be useful as a gene therapy vector.
Application: 60/025,934
Filed: 9/9/96
Inventors: Chiorini, J.A., et al.
Contact: Susan S. Rucker, (301) 496-7057, ext. 245
NATIONAL HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Tissue Microarray For Rapid Molecular Profiling
High-throughput molecular profiling of very large numbers of tissue specimens can be performed with minimal tissue requirements. Multiple sections can be arranged in microarrays on so-called tissue chips. Parallel in situ histological, immunological, and/or molecular assays can be performed on these substrates in order to determine the presence and amount of multiple molecular markers at the same time.
DHHS Reference: E-007-99/0
Filed: 10/28/98
Inventors: Kallioniemi, O., et al.
Contact: Richard Rodriguez, (301) 496-7056, ext. 287
Mouse Models For Huntington's Disease
Transgenic mice have been engineered to express full-length Huntington's disease cDNAs having characteristic CAG nucleotide repeats. These transgenics show the progressive neurobehavioral and neurological changes that are characteristic of Huntington's patients, thus making them a useful model system.
DHHS Reference: E-101-98/0
Inventors: Tagle, D.
Contact: Marlene Shinn, (301) 496-7056, ext. 285
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
Adrenergic Agonists for Treating Cardiovascular Disease
_2-adrenergic receptor agonists can selectively activate GS proteins. This selective activation of GS proteins can reverse the diminished _-adrenergic receptor response of contractile proteins that is characteristic of heart failure and aging hearts.
Application: 60/102,475
Filed: 9/30/98
Inventors: Xiao, R.-P., et al.
Contact: Charles Maynard, (301) 496-7735, ext. 243
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Human Neutralizing Antibodies To Respiratory Syncytial Virus
A human monoclonal antibody fragment binds an epitope on the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F glycoprotein. This monoclonal antibody neutralizes each of 10 subgroup A and 9 subgroup B RSV strains with high efficiency. It also successfully reduced the amount of RSV in the lungs of infected cotton rats within 24 hours after treatment. Successive treatments caused further reductions in detectable RSV.
U.S. Patent: 5,762,905
Issued: 6/9/98
Inventors: Chanock, R., et al.
Contact: Peter Soukas, (301) 496-7735, ext. 268
Mouse Antibodies For Treating Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Mouse monoclonal antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are therapeutically effective when administered into the lungs by small-particle aerosol. Several of these antibodies exhibit high affinity for the RSV F glycoprotein at epitopes that are distinct from the one to which the humanized monoclonal antibody described above binds.
Inventors: Chanock, R., et al.
Contact: Peter Soukas, (301) 496-7735, ext. 268
Immunotherapy For Viral Respiratory Tract Disease
A mixture of neutralizing, prophylactic, and therapeutic antibodies to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can be delivered in a small-particle aerosol. This allows children to be treated with an aerosol nebulizer rather than being intubated and attached to a respirator.
Application: 08/479,797
Filed: 6/7/95
Inventors: Chanock, R., et al.
Contact: Peter Soukas, (301) 496-7735, ext. 268
Inhibitors Of Protease-Resistant Prion Protein Formation
Synthetic peptides incorporating the most amyloidogenic portion of prion proteins can inhibit the formation of protease-resistant prion proteins, which are associated with transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. This inhibition may slow the deposition of amyloid deposits and allow effective therapy for this disease.
Application: 09/128,450
Filed: 8/3/98
Inventors: Chesebro, B., et al.
Contact: George Keller, (301) 496-7735, ext. 246
Broad Spectrum Chemokine Antagonist
A gene from the Molluscum contagiosum viral genome encodes an inhibitor for CXC and CC chemokines. The encoded protein shows broad-spectrum inhibition of chemotaxis in multiple different leukocyte classes. As a result, this antagonist may have use as an anti-inflammatory.
Application: 60/070,945
Filed: 1/10/98
Inventors: Moss, B., et al.
Contact: Leopold Luberecki Jr., (301) 496-7735, ext. 223
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Tyrosine Kinase Substrates And Their Modulators
The gene encoding the tyrosine kinase substrate, linker for activation of T cells, has been cloned. The integral membrane protein encoded by this gene plays a role in linking the T cell receptor to cellular activation. Antibodies to this protein and transgenics have been developed. The protein may be a therapeutic target for allergy and T-cell-modulating therapeutics.
Application: 60/068,690
Filed: 12/23/97
Inventors: Samelson, L.E., et al.
Contact: Susan S. Rucker, (301) 496-7056, ext. 245
Mouse Model For Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes
Genetically engineered transgenic animals have two mutations in genes important for non-insulin dependent (Type II) diabetes. These double knockout animals are useful as a model for polygenic insulin-related disorders, such as obesity.
DHHS Reference: E-123-96/0
Filed: 6/7/96
Inventors: Kahn, C.R., et al.
Contact: Charles Maynard, (301) 496-7735, ext. 243
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Thymosin For Promoting Wound Healing
Studies using a punch model for making wounds in rats show that thymosin a1, a 28 amino acid residue peptide, provided either topically or intraperitoneally, accelerates wound healing. Thymosin a1 also promotes endothelial and keratinocyte cell migration and angiogenesis in vivo.
Application: 09/186,476
Filed: 11/4/98
Inventors: Malinda, K.M., et al.
Contact: Susan S. Rucker, (301) 496-7057, ext. 245
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Cell Expansion System For Neural Transplantation
A culture system involving the isolation and growth of early mesencephalic precursor cells is described. By using serum, cAMP, and ascorbic acid, these cells are able to differentiate. An aggregation technique had been developed for use during the differentiation process that allows convenient grafting of dopaminergic neurons.
Application: 60/093,991
Filed: 7/24/98
Inventors: Studer, L., et al.
Contact: Leopold Luberecki, Jr., (301) 496-7057, ext. 223
Scorpion Toxin For Inhibiting Calcium Channels
A newly isolated scorpion toxin specifically inhibits T-type voltage-gated calcium channels. This toxin should facilitate the characterization of the molecular composition of these channels and their involvement in electrical and biochemical signalling mechanisms.
Application: 60/101,158
Filed: 8/21/98
Inventors: Swartz, K., et al.
Contact: Marlene Shinn, (301) 496-7056, ext. 285
Insulin-Like Growth Factor For Perivascular Lesions
Perivascular lesions are reduced by administering insulin-like growth factor I. This method should be useful for treating diseases involving demyelination.
Application: 08/705,820
Filed: 8/30/96
Inventors: Webster, H.D., et al.
Contact: Leopold Luberecki Jr., (301) 496-7057, ext. 223
Compiled By Chester Bisbee