[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]
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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, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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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