[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 37989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17928]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Government-Owned Invention; Availability for Licensing: 
``Immunotoxin Containing a Disulfide-Stabilized Antibody Fragment 
Joined to a Pseudomonas Exotoxin that does not Require Proteolytic 
Activation''

AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, DHHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The invention listed below is owned by an agency of the U.S. 
Government and is 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 
application referenced below may be obtained by contacting J.R. Dixon, 
Ph.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; E-Mail: 
[email protected]). A signed Confidential Disclosure Agreement is required 
to receive a copy of any patent application.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Invention Title: ``Immunotoxin Containing a Disulfide-Stabilized 
Antibody Fragment Joined to a Pseudomonas Exotoxin that does not 
Require Proteolytic Activation''
    Inventors: Drs. Ira H. Pastan (NCI), and Chin-Tsun Kuan (NCI)
    DHHS Ref. No. E-163-93/1 & 2 & 3--USPA SN: 08/809,668--Filed August 
21, 1997, [=60/005,388--Filed: October 13, 1995, & PCT/US96/16327/WO 
97/13529--Filed: October 11, 1996]
    Licensing Contract: J.R. Dixon, Ph.D., (301)-496-7056 Ext. 206; E-
Mail: [email protected]
    Immunotoxins were initially produced by chemically coupling 
antibodies to toxins to form chimeric molecules. In these molecules, 
the antibody portion mediates selective binding to target cells, while 
the toxin portion mediates translocation into the cytosol and 
subsequent cell killing. Several toxins have been used to make 
immunotoxins including ricin A chain, blocked ricin, saporin, pokeweed 
antiviral protein, diphtheria toxin, and Pseudomonas Exotoxin (``PE'').
    The technology disclosed in the above mentioned patent application 
relates to the production and use of Pseudomonas-derived immunotoxins 
modified to increase their toxicity and potency and therapeutic agents. 
In particular, the immunotoxins of this invention includes a disulfide-
stabilized (``ds'') target-binding agent, such as the variable region 
of an antibody molecule, and a Pseudomonas Exotoxin that does not 
require proteolytic activation for cytotoxic activity. Specifically, 
the invention provides for immunotoxins comprising a Pseudomonas 
Exotoxin that does not require proteolytic activation for cytotoxic 
activity attached to an Fv antibody fragment having a variable heavy 
chain region bound through at least one disulfide bond to a variable 
light chain region. The combination of a ``disulfide-stabilized'' 
binding agent fused to a PE that does not require proteolytic 
activation and provides an immunotoxin having surprising cytotoxic 
activity.
    The above mentioned Invention is available, including any available 
foreign intellectual property rights, for licensing.

    Dated: July 2, 1999.
Jack Spiegel,
Director, Division of Technology Development & Transfer, Office of 
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 99-17928 Filed 7-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M