By Chester A. Bisbee
Special To BioWorld Today
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) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Announcements of the following nine licensing opportunities have been submitted recently to the Federal Register, as well as a CRADA (Cooperative Research and Development Agreement) opportunity and a proposal to license an invention to EntreMed Inc., of Rockville, Md. (see second NIAID listing).
To obtain CRADA and licensing information, and copies of the U.S. patent applications and issuances listed below, contact the Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) licensing specialists indicated.
Food and Drug Administration
Tissue Growth-Inducing Cartilage-Derived Protein
A secretable protein named FRZB that is derived from cartilage is homologous to the product of the Drosophila gene frizzled. This protein interacts with signaling molecules that are implicated in cancer. FRZB also appears to be involved in the formation of cartilage, bone, and muscle and neural tissue, thus allowing its use in the treatment of degenerative disorders of bone, muscle and the nervous system, as well as cancer.
Application: 08/729,452
Filed: 10/11/96
Inventors: Luyten, F.P., et al.
Contact: Jaconda Wagner, (301) 496-7057, ext. 284
National Cancer Institute
Sensitization Of Sensory Neurons
A combination of capsaicin agonists and capsaicin-like antagonists is more effective than the agonist alone at desensitizing vanilloid-responsive sensory afferent neurons. This pharmaceutical formulation is an alternative to capsaicin that has improved therapeutic utility in the treatment of arthritis, allergic responses and pain.
Application: 60/030,999
Filed: 11/15/96
Inventors: Blumberg, P.M., et al.
Contact: Leopold J. Luberecki, (301) 496-7057, ext. 223
Inhibition Of Human Cytochrome P450 2D6
Monoclonal antibodies and other binding agents that specifically inhibit the enzyme activity of the 2D6 subgroup of cytochrome P450 can be used to assess adverse reactions to environmental toxins and identify sensitive populations. Genetic differences in these cytochrome genes appear to be associated with increased risk of developing environmental and occupational disease. Similarly, these antibodies can help to evaluate antiarrhythmic and antipsychotic drug therapy because these drugs exert their effects via this cytochrome system. Antibodies against two other subgroups of cytochrome P450 that metabolize smaller molecule environmental toxins are also available for licensing.
OTT Reference: E-046-97/0
Filed: 1/22/97
Inventors: Gelboin, H.V., et al.
Contact: Leopold J. Luberecki, (301) 496-7057, ext. 223
Therapeutic Potential Of Prostate-Specific Antigen
Prostate-specific antigen has two specific peptide epitopes that elicit T-cell responses. These can be made into a fusion peptide using a linker sequence. The fusion peptide thus formed can be used to develop monoclonal antibodies and vaccines for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Application: 08/618,936
Filed: 3/20/96
Inventors: Schlom, J., et al.
Contact: Joseph Contrera, (301) 496-7057, ext. 244
Immortal Human Prostate Epithelial Cell Cultures
Single-cell clones derived from prostate tumor cell lines show a loss of allelic heterozygosity, indicating the presence of unique genetic deletions. Successful establishment of such long-term prostate cell cultures has been exceptionally difficult. The heterozygosity loss seen indicates that these cells may express unique proteins or antigens. They could be used to identify prostate cancer-specific gene deletions, and the unique antigens could aid in the development of anticancer drugs, monoclonal antibodies and vaccines for treating prostate cancer.
Application: 60/011,042
Filed: 2/2/96 (updated 1/30/97)
Inventors: Topalian, S.L., et al.
Contact: Joseph Contrera, (301) 496-7057, ext. 244
Melanoma Protein Alternative Reading Frame Antigen
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from a patient with regressing melanoma recognize a nine-amino acid peptide epitope of a tyrosinase-related protein named gp75. This peptide is the product of an alternative reading frame translation of gp75. This antigen cannot be lengthened or shortened without the loss of antigenicity. This antigen is only found in melanomas, melanocytes and normal retinas, making it potentially useful in the development of melanoma therapeutics.
Application: 08/725,736
Filed: 10/4/96 (updated 2/6/97)
Inventors: Wang, R.F., et al.
Contact: Joseph Contrera, (301) 496-7057, ext. 244
National Eye Institute
Eye Lens Offers Source Of Key Cytokine
The gene that encodes macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has potential therapeutic value in immune system stimulation. MIF mediates macrophage function during the immune system's defense of the host. Its expression correlates with the mobilization of cellular immunity.
Application: 08/202,486
Issued: 2/28/94
Inventor: Wistow, G.J.
Contact: Jaconda Wagner, (301) 496-7057, ext. 284
National Institute Of Allergy & Infectious Disease
Blocking Malaria Transmission By Vaccine
Two sexual-stage malarial surface antigens can be used to generate disease transmission-blocking antibodies. Fusion proteins constructed using these antigens have increased immunogenic potency and are easier to manufacture than the whole antigens.
Application: 60/027,390
Issued: 9/30/96
Inventors: Kaslow, D.C., et al.
Contact: Gloria Richmond, (301) 496-7057, ext. 268
Malaria Vaccine
The erythrocyte binding domains of the sialic acid protein of Plasmodium falciparum and the Duffy antigen binding protein can be used as malaria vaccines. The immune response generated by these antigens block erythrocyte binding and invasion by malarial parasites.
The NIAID is contemplating a grant of a limited field of use and exclusive worldwide license to EntreMed Inc., of Rockville, Md., for the genes encoding these proteins and the use of the antigens in developing a malaria vaccine. This prospective license may be granted within 60 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register, unless written notice is received establishing that this grant would not be consistent with appropriate statutory requirements. License applications filed in response to this notice will be treated as objections to the grant of a license to EntreMed.
Application: 08/568,459
Filed: 12/7/95
Inventors: Sim, K., et al.
Contact: Gloria Richmond, (301) 496-7057, ext. 268
National Institute Of Child Health
& Human Development
Male Contraceptives
The NICHHD and the World Health Organization (WHO) have begun joint development of testosterone bucyclate for use as a male contraceptive and androgen therapeutic. When administered intramuscularly, this androgen shows prolonged activity compared with current androgen therapeutics.
The NICHHD and WHO seek partners to continue the commercial development of this androgen, including appropriately amending the already-filed Investigational New Drug (IND) application and conducting clinical trials. Although each may proceed independently, the NICHHD and WHO intend to jointly license rights to this androgen. CRADA proposals should be received on or before 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register for priority consideration.
U.S. Patent: 4,948,790
Issued: 8/14/90
Inventors: Archer, S., et al.
Contact: Diana Blithe, (301) 496-1661
National Institute Of Diabetes & Digestive
& Kidney Diseases
Sustained-Release Dopamine Inhibitors
For Cocaine Addiction
Sustained-release derivatives of hydroxylated analogues of substituted piperazines act as noncompetitive antagonists of cocaine that bind to the dopamine transporter, but do not inhibit dopamine reuptake. The consequent increase of extracellular dopamine provides the cocaine abuser with some relief from drug craving due to dopamine deficiency, while concomitantly preventing further cocaine-induced elevation of extracellular dopamine. In rhesus monkeys, these antagonists attenuate cocaine-induced activation of mesolimbic dopamine neurons, resulting in decreased cocaine self-administration without concurrent effects on food intake.
Application: 60/030,248
Issued: 10/31/96
Inventors: Rothman, R.B., et al.
Contact: Leopold J. Luberecki, (301) 496-7057, ext. 223 *