[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 125 (Wednesday, June 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39916-39917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16326]


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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 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 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.

Gene Profiling Arrays

Ena Wang, Lance Miller, Francesco Marincola (NCI)
DHHS Reference No. E-086-00/0 filed 28 Mar 2000
Licensing Contact: Richard Rodriguez; 301/496-7056 ext. 287; e-mail: 
[email protected]

    The invention(s) embodied in this application, provides for ordered 
arrays of mixtures of nucleic acid molecules, which reflect the gene 
expression profile of one or more specimens, such as different cell 
types or tissues. In particular embodiments, complete mRNA mixtures 
(i.e. gene transcripts) or cDNA representatives from specimens are 
individually arrayed on a substrate. Such mixtures of nucleic acids can 
be derived from any specimen source, including animal, plant and/or 
microbial cells and can be assembled in any collection desired. The 
collections can, for instance, include nucleic acid mixtures from 
different cell types, different phenotypes, cells grown under different 
conditions, cells of different ages or developmental stages, and so 
forth. The nucleic acid arrays are provided in both macro- and micro-
formats and are suitable for measuring the relative abundance of 
particular gene transcripts across a collection of complex nucleic acid 
mixtures.
    Techniques are also disclosed for producing high-fidelity, 
amplified mixtures of nucleic acid molecules using a combination of RNA 
(sense or anti-sense) amplification and template-switching synthesis. 
Amplified mixtures produced using this method can, for instance, be 
applied to the disclosed arrays. The disclosed arrays allow high 
throughput analysis of differential gene expression in a specimen, such 
as a tumor, or a variety of specimens, such as a variety of tumors, and 
is suitable for automated preparation and analysis.

The Isolation of a New Gene, TRAG, Associated with TGF-Beta

Snorri S. Thorgeirsson, Sean R. Sanders (NCI)
DHHS Ref. No. E-047-00/0 filed 07 Mar 2000 and 60/187,848 filed 08 Mar 
2000
Licensing Contact: Susan S. Rucker; 301/406-7056 ext. 245; e-mail: 
[email protected]

    A new gene has been isolated from a cell line resistant to a 
protein, TGF-beta, which can block the proliferation of cancer cells. 
This resistance endows the cell with cancer forming abilities. The 
protein encoded by the newly-discovered TRAG gene has been found at 
much higher levels in these cancer-forming cells than their non-
cancerous ancestors. In addition, the TRAG protein is greatly elevated 
in many other rodent and human cancer cell lines and in primary mouse 
liver tumors, but not in surrounding non-tumorous tissue. This 
indicates a strong association between TRAG and cancer-forming 
potential. TRAG may be involved in the mechanism by which normal cells 
become cancerous. The TRAG gene could provide an excellent target for 
cancer or gene therapy. Abrogation of TRAG protein production using 
anti-sense oligonucleotides or antibodies could conceivably prevent, 
reduce, or destroy certain types of tumors.

Identification of a Novel Domain in the Tumor Necrosis Factor 
Receptor Ligand Family that Mediates Pre-Ligand Receptor Assembly 
and Function

MJ Lenardo, FK Chan, R Siegel (all of NIAID)
Serial No. 60/181,909 filed 11 Feb 2000
Licensing Contact: Susan S. Rucker; 301/496-7056 ext. 245; e-mail: 
[email protected]

    This application discloses the identification of a functional 
domain, which is essential for signaling involving receptors of the 
Tumor Necrosis Factor Superfamily (TFNR's) including TNFR-1 (p60), 
TNFR-2 (p80), Fas, TRAIL-R, LTR, CD40, CD30, CD27, HVEM, OX40 
and DR4. The functional domain, denoted the Pre-Ligand Assembly Domain 
(PLAD), can be isolated as functional polypeptides which can be useful 
in inhibiting the first step in TNFR mediated signaling, ligand-
independent assembly of members of the TNFR Superfamily. The ability to 
inhibit TNFR signaling suggests that these PLAD polypeptides may be 
useful in developing new therapeutic molecules or as therapeutic 
molecules themselves for modulation of immune responses, apoptosis, and 
inflammation.
    In addition to being available for license, the investigators who 
have developed this technology are also willing to consider entering 
into a CRADA relationship with companies interested in commercial 
development of this technology.

Transition Metal Complexes of N,N',N"-trialkyl-cis,cis-1,3,5-
triaminocyclohexane and Related Compositions and Methods

Martin W Brechbiel, Roy P. Planalp, Kim A. Deal (NCI)
DHHS Reference No. E-072-99/0 filed 10 Aug 1999
Licensing Specialist: Girish C. Barua; 301/496-7735 ext. 263; 
[email protected]

    The invention is directed to copper complexes of N,N',N"-trimethyl-
cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane and N,N',N"-triethyl-cis,cis-1,3,5-
triaminocyclohexane as well as methods of producing and using said 
complexes. These complexes are capable of cleaving DNA and RNA in vitro 
and could be used for the treatment of cancer or other disease states 
that are characterized by abnormal cellular proliferation. The 
complexes could also be used as delivery agents or as imaging-tracers. 
These complexes offer advantages over previously described cleaving 
methodologies, e.g., oxidative or transesterification protocols. The 
disclosed copper-complexes act via hydrolytic reactions. These 
advantages could offer significant benefits over related therapeutic 
approaches to the aforementioned abnormal conditions.


[[Page 39917]]


    Dated: June 15, 2000.
Jack Spiegel,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of 
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 00-16326 Filed 6-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P