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. Announcements of the following eight licensing opportunities have been recently submitted for publication in 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.
National Cancer Institute
Extracellular cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase
The presence of extracellular cAMP protein kinase in serum is a measure of the hormone-dependency of breast cancer. By measuring this enzyme in patient serum samples, a more accurate determination of hormone dependency can be made without the necessity of a biopsy. This, in turn, allows clinicians to select an effective treatment strategy.
Application: 60/140,288
Filed: 6/18/99
Inventors: Cho-Chung, Y.S., et al.
Contact: J.R. Dixon, (301) 496-7056, ext. 206
Voltage-Dependent Calcium Channels In Cancer
The gene encoding the alpha2delta subunit of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels has been mapped to the short arm of chromosome 3 at 3p21.3. This gene is deleted in lung and breast cancer and the expression of this calcium channel is shut off in lung cancer. Thus, this technology could be used in drug screening assays, diagnostics, and gene therapy in cancer.
Application: 60/114,359
Filed: 12/30/98
Inventors: Lerman, M.I., et al.
Contact: Susan S. Rucker, (301) 496-7056, ext. 245
Lipoxygenase Inhibitors As Chemotherapy Agents
5-lipoxygenase inhibitors cause increased tumor cell apoptosis in growth factor-induced stimulation of tumor cells in several model systems. Thus, these inhibitors can treat or prevent lung, breast, head, and neck epithelial cancers.
Application: 08/704,569
Filed: 12/3/96
Inventors: Mulshine, J.L., et al.
Contact: Garish Barua, (301) 496-7056, ext. 263
Cyclin Dependent Kinase 4 Cell Cycle Inhibitor
A 15-amino-acid peptide and variants thereof have been derived from MyoD, which is an inhibitor of G1 cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) regulation of the cell cycle. These peptide inhibitors prevent cell cycle progression and the phosphorylation of pRb by CDK4, a required action for entry into the cell cycle. Because osteosarcomas and rhabdosarcomas over express pRb, these peptide inhibitors may be useful in treating these cancers.
Application: 60/139,934
Filed: 6/18/99
Inventors: Paterson, B.M., et al.
Contact: Susan S. Rucker, (301) 496-7056, ext. 245
Human Frizzled-Related Protein
The gene for human Frizzled-Related Protein (FRP) has been cloned. This protein has an N-terminal cysteine-rich domain that is similar to those of the frizzled family of membrane-anchored Wnt receptors. Because Wnt receptor signaling has been implicated in the development of various cancers and human FRP antagonizes this signaling function, human FRP may be useful in treating these cancers.
Application: 09/087,031
Filed: 6/29/98
Inventors: Rubin, J.S., et al.
Contact: Susan S. Rucker, (301) 496-7056, ext. 245
National Institute of Arthritis and Infectious Diseases
Hepatitis C Virus Vaccines
Hepatitis C virus envelope proteins have been modified for expression on host cell surfaces. By using DNA constructs encoding these modified proteins, DNA-based vaccines can be used to cause the expression of these proteins on host cell surfaces, thus inducing the systemic production of protective antibodies.
Application: 60/089,779
Filed: 6/18/98
Inventors: Forns, X., et al.
Contact: J. Peter Kim, (301) 496-7056, ext. 264
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Orally Active Peptides That Prevent Cell Damage
D-isomers of peptides derived from Activity Dependent Neurotrophic Factor I and Activity Dependent Neurotrophic Factor III/Activity Dependent Neuroprotective Protein protect against neuronal cell death in animal model systems of Alzheimer's disease and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Thus, these peptides may be useful in the various diseases characterized by neuronal cell death.
Application: 60/149,956
Filed: 8/18/99
Inventors: Brenneman, D.E., et al.
Contact: Susan S. Rucker, (301) 496-7056, ext. 245
Neurotrophic Factor III Antisense For Cancers
Antisense oligonucleotides complementary to the 5' region of the Activity Dependent Neurotrophic Factor III/Activity Dependent Neuroprotective Protein gene inhibit cell growth in cultures of the HT29 colon cancer cell line. Since the location of this gene on chromosome 20 is in a region that is associated with breast, ovary, colon, head, neck, brain and pancreatic cancers, these antisense oligonucleotides may be useful in treating these cancers.
Application: 09/364,609
Filed: 7/30/99
Inventors: Gozes, I., et al.
Contact: Susan S. Rucker, (301) 496-7056, ext. 245