[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75989-75991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27723]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing
AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, DHHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The inventions listed below are owned by an agency of the U.S.
Government and are available for licensing in the U.S. in accordance
with 35 U.S.C. 207 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results
of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patent
applications are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage
for companies and may also be available for licensing.
ADDRESSES: Licensing information and copies of the U.S. patent
applications listed below may be obtained by writing to the indicated
licensing contact at the Office of Technology Transfer, National
Institutes of Health, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325, Rockville,
Maryland 20852-3804; telephone: 301/496-7057; fax: 301/402-0220. A
signed Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be required to receive
copies of the patent applications.
Human Monoclonal Antibodies Against Hendra and Nipah Viruses
Dimiter S. Dimitrov et al. (NCI). U.S. Provisional Application
filed 1 Nov 2004 (DHHS Reference No. E-004-2005/0-US-01); Related to
the Phage Display Library described in DHHS Reference No. E-005-2005/0.
Licensing Contact: Michael Shmilovich; 301/435-5019;
shmilovm@mail.nih.gov.
Available for licensing are neutralizing human monoclonal
antibodies against the envelope proteins (Envs) of Hendra virus (HeV)
and Nipah virus (NiV) for uses in immunotherapy, vaccine development
and as diagnostic or research reagents. Monoclonal antibody variable
region fragments (Fabs and scFvs) have been isolated from screening a
human phage display library against the Envs. The phage display library
(DHHS Ref. No. E-005-2005) is useful for screening other viral or
cancer antigens and can be licensed from DHHS under a biological
materials license.
In addition to licensing, the technology is available for further
development through collaborative research with the inventors via a
Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA).
Human Antibody Phage Display Library
Dimiter S. Dimitrov et al. (NCI). DHHS Reference No. E-005-2005/0--
Research Tool; Related to the Monoclonal Antibodies Against Hendra and
Nipah Viruses described in U.S. Provisional Application filed 1 Nov
2004 (DHHS Reference No. E-004-2005/0-US-01).
Licensing Contact: Michael Shmilovich; 301/435-5019;
shmilovm@mail.nih.gov.
Available for licensing as a biological material for either
internal use or commercial distribution is a human Fab
immunoglobulin/antibody fragment phage display library. The library
contains 10\10\ Fabs derived from the peripheral blood of
ten (10) healthy human donors. The high quality of the library was
demonstrated in the successful selection of high affinity antibodies
specific for Hendra and Nipah viruses; however, the library is useful
for selecting a variety of antigen specific immunoglobulin/antibody
Fab fragments especially for cancer or viruses.
In addition to licensing, the technology is available for further
development through collaborative research with the inventors via a
Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA).
Vaccines Against Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
Dimiter Dimitrov and Xiadong Xiao (NCI). U.S. Provisional Patent
Application filed 3 Nov 2004 (DHHS Reference Nos. E-299-2004/0-US-01
and E-299-2004/1-US-01).
Licensing Contact: Michael Shmilovich; 301/435-5019;
shmilovm@mail.nih.gov.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne public
health concern in many regions of the world including Africa, the
Middle East, Europe, and Western Asia. The disease is etiologically
linked to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) from the
Nairovirus genus of the Bunyaviridae family of viruses and is
transmitted primarily through the bite of Ixodid ticks. Available for
licensing and commercial development are antigens, immunogens, and
nucleic acid constructs for the development of vaccines against CCHFV.
The antigens and immunogens are peptides corresponding to the soluble
ectodomains of CCHFV G1 (Gc) and G2 (Gn) glycoproteins. Also provided
are coupled proteins that include soluble peptide fragments derived
from the G1 (Gc) or G2 (Gn) ectodomains or portions thereof;
peptidomimetics; vaccines; immunogenic compounds methods for
vaccination and inhibitors of CCHFV cell entry. Expression vectors and
DNA vaccines encoding these peptides are also within the scope of the
invention as well as antibodies, aptamers and kits containing
antibodies or aptamers that bind to these peptides. CCHFV has been
implicated as a pathogen of biodefense significance.
Intracellular Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mrinal K. Dewanjee (NIHCC). U.S. Provisional Patent Application
filed 8 Oct 2004 (DHHS Reference No. E-291-2004/0-US-01).
Licensing Contact: Michael Shmilovich; 301/435-5019;
shmilovm@mail.nih.gov.
Available for licensing and commercial development are contrast
agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These agents are composed
of charge neutral and lipid-soluble complexes of paramagnetic cations
bound by chelators. Unlike conventional extra-cellular contrast agents,
these agents of the present
[[Page 75990]]
invention penetrate into the cells and thus permit higher spatial
resolution in MRI. The paramagnetic cation is preferably
Gd+\3\, Dy+\3\ and Fe+\3\ with three
equivalents of a charge neutralizing chelator that provides a neutral
lipid-soluble complex of the paramagnetic cation. The complex is
extracted rapidly and retained intracellularly, when mammalian cells
are incubated in buffer or plasma media. Hence, they may be used in
imaging vascular plaque after intra-arterial injection and tracking the
distribution patterns of injected immune cells in localizing the
inflammatory disease or implanted stem cells in regenerative medicine.
Electromagnetically Tracked Tissue Ablation Device
Bradford J. Wood (NIHCC). U.S. Provisional Patent Application filed
5 Nov 2004 (DHHS Reference No. E-278-2004/0-US-01).
Licensing Contact: Michael Shmilovich; 301/435-5019;
shmilovm@mail.nih.gov.
Available for licensing, development, manufacturing and commercial
distribution is an ablation device coupled with electromagnetic
tracking for procedural navigation. Minimally invasive interventions
exemplified by devices like this are rapidly increasing in popularity.
This device improves accuracy and may improve outcomes by using pre-
procedural imaging (like CT, MRI, PET) during procedures, to assist
with guidance of ablation probes to a target that shows up on pre-
procedural imaging. This allows use of exquisite diagnostic imaging
during interventional procedures, that otherwise would not be
available. This device is similar to having a miniaturized version of
an automobile GPS (global positioning system) on the tip of a small
needle. Image guided surgery is not truly ``image guided'' without
being able to use all pre-operative imaging during the procedure. One
example allows accurate identification and treatment of a tumor that is
only briefly seen on CT scan, then disappears, or is only seen with
PET. Tissue burns during thermal ablation, releasing gas that obscures
the real-time ultrasound image. This device allows use of CT and other
enhanced imaging during repositioning of ablation needles, which is the
most difficult part of the procedure.
One design can include a guidance needle and grid to direct the
ablation needle. Another design includes a plate with an aperture and
button coupled to the plate wherein the plate has a beveled surface and
a slideable hub coupled to the plate by a rod. An added advantage is an
inclusion of a plurality of guide apertures to focus the needle. The
needle is inserted into and guided by one of the guide apertures of the
grid as the needle is introduced into a body of a patient to a target
site. The device is useful for therapy or for biopsy and includes a
button defining an aperture, a hub defining an aperture being slideably
coupled to the button by a rod, and a lock mechanism configured to lock
the hub relative to the button on the rod. The system also includes a
removable probe inserted through the hub and the button and a miniature
magnetically trackable sensor coil that fits inside a 22 Gauge needle.
A pictorial representation of the device is shown here.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN20DE04.136
In addition to licensing, the technology is available for further
development through collaborative research with the inventors via a
Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA).
Grid Etcher for Generating Defined Growth Areas
Rea Ravin, James Sullivan, Daniel Hoeppner, David Munno, Ronald
[[Page 75991]]
McKay (NINDS). U.S. Patent Application filed 14 Oct 2004 (DHHS
Reference No. E-125-2004/0-US-01).
Licensing Contact: Michael Shmilovich; 301/435-5019;
shmilovm@mail.nih.gov.
Available for licensing and commercial development is a cell
culture tool kit for etching confined growth areas on substrates coated
with tissue culture growth matrix, such as fibronectin. The kit
includes three components: an etching comb (etcher) with rectangular
teats, a back plate, and an open chamber with guides to direct the
etcher.
Overview: Cells are plated over a glass cover slide previously
coated with growth matrix. Perpendicular channels are etched into the
culture, removing both growth matrix and plated cells, resulting in
rectangular growth areas containing only the cells plated originally to
each growth area. This protocol allows high-density cultures to grow
freely within a confined growth area. Specifically, this procedure
prevents emigration out of the growth area and also prevents
immigration from individual cells or sphere clusters into the growth
area, common if cells are plated on pre-defined surfaces.
Method: A coated cover slide is plated with cells. The cover slide
is then sandwiched between the back plate, and open chamber with
etching guides, then secured in place. The chamber is filled with media
and the etcher is drawn across the cover slip to generate a first set
of channels. The etcher is then drawn across the cover slip in a
perpendicular direction to generate a second set of channels, resulting
in rectangular growth areas. The number of the teats on the etcher
determines the number of squares in the grid, the width of each teat
will determine the distance between the squares and the gap between the
teats will determine the size of the squares.
This tool kit enables the production of a slide for monitoring
dynamic cell processes especially for the proliferation and migration
of stem cells or other migratory cells. Beside complexity, a
significant problem with existing containment systems is the inability
to keep cells within the field of observation and to keep out cells not
present in the field of view at the onset of the experiment. The
present invention provides a simple and flexible solution that enables
long-term cell culture in a defined growth area.
Chlorine Dioxide Gas Decontamination Apparatus
Deborah E. Wilson, D.Ph. (ORS). U.S. Provisional Application 60/
620,095 filed 18 Oct 2004 (DHHS Reference No. E-190-2004/0-US-01).
Licensing Contact: Michael Shmilovich; 301/435-5019;
shmilovm@mail.nih.gov.
Available for licensing and commercial development is an apparatus
for decontaminating articles and areas contaminated with one or more
biosafety level 2, 3, or 4 pathogens. Particularly, the focus of
decontamination is a piece of laboratory equipment, such as a
biological safety cabinet. The apparatus is portable, and includes a
moveable cart, a source of chlorine dioxide gas, a humidification
means, an inlet conduit for introducing a flow of chlorine dioxide gas
from the source of chlorine dioxide gas into the environment and for
simultaneously humidifying the environment, and an outlet conduit for
withdrawing gas from the environment. The apparatus further includes a
blower for circulating gas between the environment to the humidifier
and vice versa. Of particular advantage, the moveable cart weighs less
than 200 pounds. The patent application covering this apparatus can be
reviewed under a confidentiality nondisclosure agreement.
Dated: December 9, 2004.
Steven M. Ferguson,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 04-27723 Filed 12-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P