BioWorld Today here continues its occasional listings of governmentagencies seeking industrial licensees to commercialize their biotech-related research and development inventions. Commercializationrights are offered by the National Institutes of Health, Office ofTechnology Transfer (OTT). Announcements of the followingopportunities will be published imminently in the Federal Register.

To obtain licensing information, and copies of the pending U.S.patent applications listed below, contact OTT licensing specialistsindicated.

National Institute On Aging

Gene To Suppress Tumors, Boost Cell Growth

Prohibitin, a negative regulatory gene, when mutated, leads to celldeath (apoptosis), so may act as tumor suppressor. Its inactivationmay correct insufficient cellular proliferation, as in osteoporosis,poor wound healing.

Application: 08/466,762

Filed: 6/5/95

Inventors: Nuell, M. J., et al.

Contact: Ken Hemby, (301) 496-7056, ext. 265

National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases

Protein Against Emphysema, Cirrhosis, Liver Cancer

Gene expressing first known protein capable of inhibiting serineproteases, to treat conditions such as emphysema, cirrhosis, livercancer.

U. S. Patent # 5,187,268

Issued: 2/16/93

Inventors: Moss, B., et al.

Contact: Carol Lavrich, (301) 496-7735, ext. 287

High-Potency Anti-HIV-1 Antibody

Soluble viral envelope protein, gp140 is a recombinant version ofgp160, but conserves the parent protein's quaternary structure. Thus,antibodies raised against it "may be more broadly reactive againstvarious forms of AIDS than other antibodies generated to date."

Application: 08/165,314

Filed: 10/12/93

Inventors: Moss, B., et al.

Contact: Cindy K. Fuchs, (301) 496-7735, ext. 232

National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute

Improved Retroviral Vectors For Gene Therapy

Complement system's C1 subcomponents and antibody fragmentsprotects retroviral vector particles produced in non-primatepackaging lines from attack by primate complement cascade in vivo.

Application: 08/098,944

Filed: 7/28/93

Inventor: Mason, J. M., et al.

Contact: Carol Lavrich, (301) 496-7735, ext. 287

Protein Expression In Human Gut

Unlike alternative delivery systems, e.g., retroviral vectors, methoddirectly transfers gene of interest to targeted cells in gastrointestinaltract _ whether dividing or not. Permits systemic long-termadministration of therapeutic protein to a patient, avoiding periodicinjections, suppositories.

Application: 07/776,057

Filed: 10/16/91

Inventor: Crystal, Ron

Contact: Larry Tiffany, (301) 496-7056, ext. 206

OTHER NEWS TO NOTE

* NeoPharm Inc., of Lake Forest, Ill., said it received orphan drugstatus from the FDA for Idoxuridinc for treatment of cancers of thesoft connective tissues around bones and organs. The drug isdesigned to enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy. Earlierthis year, NeoPharm, won orphan drug status for Broxuridinc forbrain tumors.

* Neurobiological Technologies Inc., of Richmond, Calif., saidinterim results of an open-label Phase I/II trial of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) for tumor-related brain swelling showed thedrug was well tolerated and improved symptoms, such as seizuresand double vision, associated with the disorder. CRF is a humanpeptide designed to reduce leakage of fluids from blood vessels atsites of tissue damage. The company said it is seeking developmentand marketing partners for the drug, which is believed to have broadanti-inflammatory activity.

* Oncogene Science Inc., of Uniondale, N.Y., entered an agreementwith Pfizer Inc., of New York, and New York University to form anew company, Anaderm Research Corp., to develop drugs fortreatment of baldness, wrinkles and pigmentation disorders. Pfizerwill own 82 percent of Anaderm, which will be located at Pfizer'sheadquarters, and Oncogene will own 14 percent. New YorkUniversity, which will contribute its biological discoveries on skinand hair problems, will have an option to acquire the other 4 percentof Anaderm and will receive research funding. Financial terms werenot disclosed.

* SciClone Pharmaceuticals Inc., of San Mateo, Calif., acquired anexclusive license to a synthetic compound for cystic fibrosis. Thepotential drug, called CPX (8-cyclopentyl-1, 3-dipropylxanthine),was developed by researchers at the National Institutes of Health, ofBethesda, Md., and is designed to assist in the proper function of thepatients' defective cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductingregulator gene. SciClone also named its president, Donald Sellers, tothe additional post of CEO.

* Sheffield Medical Technologies Inc., of New York, said animaltesting in the U.S. is under way for a new AIDS vaccine based onFrench researchers' isolation of a binding site for a non-mutatingcellular surface protein believed to be involved in replication of HIV.Scientists at the French National Institute of Health and MedicalResearch in Paris found the binding site, or epitope, which will beused to develop a potential vaccine. Sheffield, which funded theresearch program, said it will file an investigational new drugapplication with the FDA to begin clinical trials following the animaltesting.

* Triangle Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Durham, N.C., acquired rights topotential HIV treatment compounds from Emory University, ofAtlanta, and the University of Georgia Research Foundation inAthens. The three antiviral drugs are nucleoside analogues. Onecompound, called FTC, was developed at Emory and was tested in aPhase I dose ranging study. The other two, CS-92 and DAPD, werecreated by Emory and the University of Georgia, and have shownpromise in laboratory testing.

-- David N. Leff Science Editor

(c) 1997 American Health Consultants. All rights reserved.