[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 219 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60909-60910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29843]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing

AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The inventions listed below are owned by agencies 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 U.S. 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.

Identification of the Gene Causing Familial Mediterranean Fever

D Kastner (NIAMS) et al.
Serial No. 60/056,217 filed 21 Aug. 97
Licensing Contact: Stephen Finley, 301/496-7056 ext. 215

    The invention identifies the gene (MEFV) encoding the protein 
(pyrin) that is associated with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). 
FMF, a recessive inherited disorder, is characterized by episodes of 
fever, inflammation, and unexplained arthritis, pleurisy, or abdominal 
pain. Pyrin is thought to play a role in keeping inflammation under 
control, whereas mutated forms lead to a malfunctioning protein and 
uncontrolled inflammation. Mutated forms of MEFV were isolated and 
correlated to FMF disease. It is anticipated that the immediate use of 
the pyrin gene and its mutations will be to aid in the diagnosis of 
FMF. It may also prove useful for evaluating FMF as a possible cause of 
currently unexplained fevers or abdominal pain.

[[Page 60910]]

The normal gene and its mutations may also be useful for studying and 
controlling inflammation.

Methods for Inactivating Enveloped RNA Virus Particles and Compositions 
for Use Therewith

HF Rosenberg, JB Domachowske (NIAID)
Serial Number: 60/052,986 filed 02 Jul 97
Licensing Contact: Robert Benson, 301/496-7056 ext. 267

    The inventors have discovered that treatment of enveloped single-
stranded RNA viruses with eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), a 
ribonuclease, inactivates the viruses in cell culture. Respiratory 
Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Parainfluenza Virus (PIV) are medically the 
most important enveloped RNA viruses; together they hospitalize over 
100,000 infants per year in the US. EDN is the major eosinophil 
ribonuclease. It has been cloned and recombinant EDN is available. 
Despite its name, EDN is not toxic to respiratory epithelial or other 
somatic cells. Both parenteral and aerosol administration are 
contemplated. Claimed are methods of treatment and pharmaceutical 
compositions.

Actinomycin D: A New Use for AIDS Therapy

JG Levin, J Guo (NICHD)
Serial No. 60/047,223 filed 20 May 97
Licensing Contact: Robert Benson, 301/496-7056 ext. 267

    This invention is a method of treating HIV infection by 
administering Actinomycin D. In a broader sense the invention is the 
discovery of a new target for anti-HIV therapy, namely the inhibition 
of the first strand transfer step in reverse transcription, an early 
step in HIV replication. Actinomycin D, a licensed drug used to treat 
Wilm's tumor, inhibits the first strand transfer step at a 
concentration estimated to be an order of magnitude lower than that 
used to treat cancer, as shown by inhibition studies with purified 
reverse transcriptase and detergent-treated HIV virions.

Rapid Method for Diagnosing the Various Forms of Alpha-Thalassemia

GP Rodgers, DC Tang (NIDDK)
Serial No. 60/031,880 filed 27 Nov 96
Licensing Contact: J. Peter Kim, 301/496-7056 ext. 264

    The present invention is directed to a simple, inexpensive, and 
rapid method for detecting thalassemias. The present invention provides 
for the identification of nucleic acid primers capable of detecting and 
distinguishing between the various forms of alpha-thalassemia using any 
biological material (dry or fluid) containing nucleic acid material. 
The invention further provides for a method and diagnostic kit for the 
detection and quantitation of hemoglobin (Hb) alpha gene(s) in alpha-
thalassemia patients, a method and kit for screening for carriers of 
this genetic disorder, a sensitive non-radioisotopic test capable of 
differentiating between the various forms of thalassemia, and a means 
to identify persons who are at risk of having offspring with homozygous 
alpha-thalassemia.

    Dated: November 4, 1997.
Barbara M. McGarey,
Deputy Director, Office of Technology Transfer.
[FR Doc. 97-29843 Filed 11-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M