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 11 licensing opportunities have been submitted to the Federal Register. Also included is a proposal to grant an exclusive license to Trillium Neuroscience, Inc., of Washington. (See the National Institute on Drug Abuse listing.)
For information and copies of the U.S. patent issuances or applications listed below, contact the OTT personnel indicated.
NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
Molecular Computing Elements
Molecular logic devices constructed as switches and gates, which are analogous to electronic computers, allow data storage, transformation of binary information, and signal readout. Quantification of analytes, microscopic identifiers, and complex digital regulation of gene expression can be achieved using these devices.
OTT Reference: E-170-97/0
Filed: 2/20/98
Inventors: Schneider, T.D., et al.
Contact: John Fahner-Vihtelic, (301) 496-7735, ext. 270
NATIONAL HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Congenital Deafness Gene
Pendrin is a protein that transports sulfate across cell membranes. When the gene encoding this protein is mutated, it produces a defective pendrin protein which causes Pendred Syndrome, a recessively inherited disorder associated with congenital deafness and thyroid goiter. This gene and its encoded protein can be used to diagnose and treat individuals with this syndrome.
OTT Reference: E-004-98/0
Filed: 10/28/97
Inventors: Green, E., et al.
Contact: Dennis Penn, (301) 496-7056, ext. 211
DNA-Linked Chromogenic Dye Visualization
Chromogenic dyes are attached to DNA probes that hybridize to interphase cells from cytological preparations. Color identi-fication of these dyes by spectral imaging allows simultaneous identification of the immunocytochemical markers and RNA tagged by these dyes. This method can be used to diagnose and stage human cancers when applied to the analysis of cells from Pap smears and fine needle biopsies.
Application: 60/055,439
Filed: 8/8/97
Inventors: Ried, T., et al.
Contact: John Fahner-Vihtelic, (301) 496-7735, ext. 270
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Sexually Transmitted Disease Vaccine
The genes encoding variable domains of major outer membrane proteins of Chlamydia trachomatis have been identified. These variable domains contain the major antigen targets of neutralizing antibodies that confer protective immunity against sexually transmitted chlamydial infection. These genes and proteins are useful for developing diagnostics and both protein- and DNA-based vaccines.
Application: 07/853,359
Filed: 3/16/92
Inventors: Caldwell, H., et al.
Contact: Robert Benson, (301) 496-7056, ext. 267
Heat-Shock Chlamydial Proteins
A gene encoding the immunodominant Chlamydia trachomatis heat-shock protein HSP60 has been identified. This gene and its encoded protein are major targets for the development of diagnostics and vaccines to prevent chlamydial infection and the resulting sexually transmitted disease.
U.S. Patent: 5,071,962
Issued: 12/10/91
Inventors: Morrison, R.B., et al.
Contact: Robert Benson, (301) 496-7056, ext. 267
Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Vaccine
The preM and E structural genes of the tick-borne encephalitis Langat virus and the non-structural genes of the mosquito-borne dengue virus form a live, attenuated chimeric virus vaccine against tick-borne encephalitis virus. This vaccine provides protection against subsequent viral challenge when administered intraperitoneally in mice.
Application: 60/061,441
Filed: 10/8/97
Inventor: Pletenev, A., et al.
Contact: Carol Salata, (301) 496-7735, ext. 232
Thiopeptides For Treating Parasitic Infections
Thiopeptides can be used to treat parasitic infections when the parasite has a plastid-like organelle. These sulfur-rich peptide antibiotics contain multiple thiazole rings which inhibit protein synthesis in the plastid-like organelle of the parasite.
OTT Reference: E-202-97/0
Filed: 7/7/97
Inventors: Rogers, M.A., et al.
Contact: Carol Salata, (301) 496-7735, ext. 232
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
Drug Addiction Antagonists
Sustained-release derivatives of hydroxylated analogues of substituted 1-(2-[bis(aryl)methoxy]ethyl)-piperazines and homo-piperazines have been developed. These compounds bind to the dopamine transporter but do not inhibit dopamine reuptake, thereby providing a sustained increase in the level of extracellular dopamine. Thus, the drug abuser is provided with some relief from drug craving due to dopamine deficiency, while these antagonists simultaneously inhibit cocaine from further elevating the level of extracellular dopamine and increasing the probability of additional side effects.
NIDA is contemplating the grant of an exclusive worldwide license of this technology to Trillium Neuroscience, Inc., of Washington, for commercial development. The license may be limited to the use of the invention for the development of pharmaceutical compounds to treat drug abuse.
This prospective license may be granted within 60 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register, unless written notice is received estab-lishing that this grant would not be consistent with the appropriate statutory requirements. License applications filed in response to this notice will be treated as objections to the grant of a license to Trillium Neuroscience.
Application: 60/030,248
Filed: 10/31/96
Inventors: Rothman, R.B., et al.
Contact: Leopold Luberecki Jr. (301) 496-7735, ext. 223
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
Lipopolysaccharide-Based Vaccine For Middle Ear Infections
A different type of vaccine against Moraxella catarrhalis, the third most common cause of middle ear infections, has been developed in order to combat the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
This vaccine consists of isolated surface lipopolysaccharides that are detoxified by removing esterified fatty acids and then conjugated to an immunogenic protein carrier such as tetanus toxin. These conjugates are nontoxic and bacteriocidal against various M. catarrhalis strains in vitro.
Application: 60/071,483
Filed: 1/13/98
Inventors: Gu, X.-X., et al.
Contact: Robert Benson, (301) 496-7056, ext. 267
Conjugate Vaccine For Middle Ear Infections
A different type of vaccine against nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, which causes 25 to 40 percent of middle ear infections, has been developed in order to combat the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This vaccine consists of isolated surface lipopolysaccharides that are detoxified by using hydrazine to remove esterified fatty acids and then conjugated to an immunogenic protein carrier such as tetanus toxin. These conjugates are nontoxic and bacteriocidal against various H. influenzae strains in vitro and are effective in a chinchilla animal model system.
Application: 08/842,409
Filed: 4/23/97
Inventors: Gu, X.-X., et al.
Contact: Robert Benson, (301) 496-7056, ext. 267
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES
Linkers For Coupling Carbohydrates To Amine-Containing Carriers
An inexpensive method has been developed for linking glycosyl-donating carbohydrates to carriers containing amine groups, such as proteins and peptides. These glycoconjugates can be used as vaccines and biologically active chromatographic substrates.
Application: 60/069,686
Filed: 12/12/97
Inventor: Kovac, P., et al.
Contact: Robert Benson, (301) 496-7056, ext. 267
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
Multidimensional Data Mining And Analysis
Methods have been developed for multidimensional data mining, machine learning and analysis that synergistically combine different methods of statistical analysis, neural networks, decision trees and genetic algorithms for the resolution of data queries.
The synergistic use of these methods produces significantly more accurate outcomes by automatically determining optimal processes and data represen-tations at each step of the inquiry, using evolutionary learning technology to improve predictive outcomes with continued use.
Possible biological applications of these methods include the analysis of high-throughput screening data for pharmaceutical discovery and the automation of medical image screening.
OTT Reference: E-118-96/0
Filed: 5/23/96
Inventors: Hunter, L.
Contact: John Fahner-Vihtelic, (301) 496-7735, ext. 270
— Compiled By Chester A. Bisbee