[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 16, 1996)] [Notices] [Page 53931] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-26411] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, DHHS. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ADDRESSES: Licensing information and a copy of the U.S. patent applications referenced below may be obtained by contacting Larry Tiffany, J.D., at the Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325, Rockville, Maryland 20852-3804 (telephone 301/496-7056 ext 206; fax 301/402-0220). A signed Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be required to receive a copy of the patent application. Recombinant Pseudomonas Exotoxin With Increased Activity IH Pastan, DJ Fitzgerald (NCI) Serial Nos. 07/901,709 filed 18 Jun 92 and 08/405,615 filed 15 Mar 95 (FWC of 07/901,709); also 08/463,480 and 08/461,234 filed on 05 Jun 95 (DIVs of 08/405,615) Development of novel recombinant Pseudomonas exotoxin molecules with higher target cell toxicity and less nonspecific cell toxicity offers to significantly improve the effectiveness of immunotherapies against virally infected and cancer cells. Toxins attached to growth factors, antibodies, and other cell-targeting molecules can be used to kill harmful cells bearing specific surface receptors or antigens. One promising source of an effective therapeutic toxin is Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) A, an extremely active monomeric protein that is excreted by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PE, which causes cell death by inhibiting protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells, contains three structural domains that act in concert to cause cytotoxicity: domain Ia mediates cell binding, domain II is responsible for translocation into the cytosol, and domain III leads indirectly to inhibition of protein synthesis. Unfortunately, immunotoxins made with native PE also attack the liver and--when given in large doses--may produce death due to liver toxicity. This problem has been overcome by cleaving parts of the native endotoxin molecule including all of domain Ia and part of domain II. Such ``pre-cleaved'' PE molecules are smaller in size and, thus, less likely to be immunogenic. They also are better able to penetrate tumors. These new PE molecules are at least 20 times more cytotoxic to target cells and less cytotoxic to normal cells than previously developed PE immunotoxins. Dated: October 2, 1996. Barbara M. McGarey, Deputy Director, Office of Technology Transfer. [FR Doc. 96-26411 Filed 10-15-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140-01-M