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 (NIH), Office of Technology Transfer (OTT). Announcements of the following six licensing opportunities have been submitted 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.
National Cancer Institute
T Cell Receptor For Inhibiting Inflammation And Angiogenesis
CD97 is up-regulated in activated T cells and is involved in the onset and maintenance of inflammation and angiogenesis. A gene encoding a soluble form of the alpha subunit of CD97 may be useful in developing antagonists, including antibodies, of CD97 action, thus potentially inhibiting both inflammation and angiogenesis.
Application: 60/027,871
Filed: 10/25/96
Inventors: K. Kelly
Contact: J. Peter Kim, (301) 496-7056, ext. 264
National Human Genome Research Institute
Overexpressed Steroid Receptor Marker In Breast Cancer
The AIB-1 (amplified in breast cancer-1) gene, which is located on the long arm of chromosome 20, encodes a steroid receptor coactivator and is linked to the growth and progression of human breast cancer. High-level AIB-1 gene amplification and overexpression of the encoded protein are found in estrogen receptor-positive breast and ovarian cancer cell lines as well as prostate epithelial cells. This gene and its encoded protein may be useful in developing diagnostic and inhibitor screening assays.
OTT Reference: E-018-97/0
Filed: 6/17/97
Inventors: Meltzer, P.S., et al.
Contact: Ken Hemby, (301) 496-7735, ext. 265
Niemann-Pick Type C Disease Genes
The gene associated with Niemann-Pick Type C disease, a lipid storage disorder that results in unesterified cholesterol accumulation, has been cloned. Use of the gene and its encoded protein could lead to improved diagnosis and therapeutic development for this and other diseases that involve abnormal cholesterol accumulation, such as atherosclerosis.
Application: 60/051,682
Filed: 7/3/97
Inventors: Tagle, D.A., et al.
Contact: Leopold J. Luberecki Jr., (301) 496-7735, ext. 223
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Antiprogestational Agents For Therapeutic Development
Preclinical evaluation of 21-substituted progesterone derivatives indicates that these steroids possess greater antiprogestational activity and reduced antiglucocorticoid activity when compared with mifepristone. No toxicological studies have been done using this agent, but extensive safety studies have been performed on a similar antiprogestational agent. Radioimmunoassays are being developed.
These agents are being made available for commercialization. Applicants are encouraged to submit a research plan for the most extensive development possible of these agents for therapeutic uses, including treatment of postmenopausal women, reproductive abnormalities and hormone-dependent cancers.
Application: 60/016,628
Filed: 5/1/96
Inventors: Kim, H.K., et al.
Contact: Carol Lavrich, (301) 496-7735, ext. 287
National Institute of Dental Research
Laminin Peptides That Inhibit Angiogenesis
Peptides with laminin-like activity, including a specific pentapeptide, interfere with cell adhesion and block angiogenesis, thus inhibiting tumor cell growth. These peptides may be useful in reducing the metastasis of tumor cells.
U.S. Patent: 5,092,885
Issued: 3/3/92
Inventors: Yamada, Y., et al.
Contact: Jaconda Wagner, (301) 496-7735, ext. 284
Laminin A Peptides For Promoting Adhesion
Peptides with laminin-like activity, including a specific hexapeptide, promote adhesion and migration of epithelial cells. These peptides may be useful as adhesion and regeneration agents for nerve guides and as adhesion agents for vascular prostheses.
U.S. Patent: 5,211,657
Issued: 5/18/93
Inventors: Yamada, Y., et al.
Contact: Jaconda Wagner, (301) 496-7735, ext. 284
— Compiled by Chester A. Bisbee