[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 179 (Thursday, September 14, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55635-55636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23670]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


National Cancer Institute: Development of a Molecular Rotation 
Engine

    An opportunity for a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement 
(CRADA) is available for collaboration with the NCI Intramural Division 
of Basic Sciences for the development of an ATP-driven, molecular-based 
rotation engine. The opportunity is open to a multi or single party 
collaboration that would require the input of molecular biology and 
genetic engineering experience on the part of the potential 
collaborator or collaborators.
AGENCY: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, PHS, 
DHHS.

ACTION: Notice of Opportunity for Cooperative Research and Development 
Agreement.

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[[Page 55636]]

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 (FTTA, 
15 U.S.C. 3710; Executive Order 12591 of April 10, 1987 as amended by 
the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995), the 
National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of Health 
(NIH) of the Public Health Service (PHS) of the Department of Health 
and Human Services (DHHS) seeks a Cooperative Research and Development 
Agreement (CRADA) with a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or other 
company that possesses the ability to assist in the development and 
commercialization of the described technology. CRADA proposals for 
development of this technology should include the development of a 
prototype. The CRADA would have an expected duration of one (1) to five 
(5) years. The goals of the CRADA will include the rapid publication of 
research results and timely commercialization of any products that 
result from the research. The CRADA Collaborator or Collaborators will 
have an option to negotiate the terms of an exclusive or nonexclusive 
commercialization license to subject inventions arising under the 
CRADA.

ADDRESSES: Proposals and questions about this CRADA opportunity may be 
addressed to Mr. Kevin Brand, Technology Development & 
Commercialization Branch, National Cancer Institute--Frederick Cancer 
Research and Development Center, Fairview Center, 1003 West Seventh 
Street, Room 502, Frederick, MD 20852, Telephone: (301) 846-5222; 
Facsimile: (301) 846-6820.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Organizations must submit a proposal summary of one 
page or less, to NCI on or before November 13, 2000. Guidelines for 
preparing full CRADA proposals will be communicated shortly thereafter 
to all respondents with whom initial discussions will have established 
sufficient mutual interest.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Technology Available

    The National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of 
Health (NIH) has a pending patent application related to the 
development of a molecular-based rotation engine. The engine is 
constructed of two cylinders, one inner and one outer whose inner 
surfaces are coated with oriented mobility or contractile proteins. In 
the presence of ATP the cylinders rotate relative to each other. Speed 
of relative rotation is controlled by the concentration of ATP or by 
nesting a series of cylinders inside each other. Power is controlled by 
adjusting the length of the cylinders. One advantage of this technology 
over other macroscopic motors is that it can be used to supply power to 
prosthetic implants and medical devices without the drawbacks 
associated with conventional power sources. Other advantages are that 
the motor operates at room temperature, and that fuels can be prepared 
from sugar, so the motor does not contribute to carbon dioxide 
pollution and the waste products are biologically safe. The NCI, in 
accordance with the regulations governing the transfer of agents which 
the Government has taken an active role in developing (37 CFR 404.8), 
is seeking a biotechnology, pharmaceutical or other similarly situated 
company which can develop a working model of this molecular engine and 
has the ability to make it commercially available. Those potential 
collaborators interested in reviewing NCI's pending patent application 
on this technology should contact J.P. Kim at the National Institutes 
of Health, Office of Technology Transfer, 6011 Executive Boulevard, 
Suite 325, Rockville, Maryland 20852, Telephone (301) 496-7056; 
Facsimile (301) 496-0220.
    The role of the National Cancer Institute in this CRADA may 
include, but not be limited to:
    1. Providing intellectual, scientific, and technical expertise and 
experience related to the development of a prototype molecular-based 
engine.
    1. Providing collaborator or collaborators access to confidential 
information relating to the pending patent application which embodies 
this technology.
    2. Planning research studies and interpreting research results.
    3. Publishing research results.
    The role of the CRADA Collaborator may include, but not be limited 
to:
    1. Providing significant intellectual, scientific, and technical 
expertise or experience for the development of a prototype molecular-
based engine.
    Collaborators must have expertise in standard molecular biology: 
Gene construction, cloning and protein isolation. Experience in genetic 
engineering is essential. Other areas of expertise would include 
silicon micromachining and past work in nanotechnology.
    2. Providing technical and financial support to facilitate 
scientific goals, as well as personnel and laboratory space.
    3. Assume responsibility for the commercialization, marketing and 
distribution of such a molecular engine should a sound prototype be 
developed.
    4. Planning research studies and interpreting research results.
    5. Publishing research results.
    Selection criteria for choosing the CRADA Collaborator may include, 
but not be limited to:
    1. The ability to collaborate with NCI on the research and 
development of this technology. The ability to collaborate with NCI can 
be demonstrated through experience and expertise in this or related 
areas of technology indicating the ability to contribute intellectually 
to ongoing research and development.
    2. The demonstration of adequate resources to perform the research 
and development of this technology (e.g. facilities, personnel and 
expertise) and accomplish objectives according to an appropriate 
timetable to be outlined in the CRADA Collaborator's proposal.
    3. The willingness to commit best effort and demonstrated resources 
to the research anddevelopment of this technology, as outlined in the 
CRADA Collaborator's proposal.
    4. The demonstration of expertise in the commercial development and 
production of products related to this area of technology.
    5. The level of financial support the CRADA Collaborator will 
provide for CRADA-related Government activities.
    6. The willingness to cooperate with the National Cancer Institute 
in the timely publication of research results.
    7. The agreement to be bound by the appropriate DHHS regulations 
relating to human subjects, and all PHS policies relating to the use 
and care of laboratory animals.
    8. The willingness to accept the legal provisions and language of 
the CRADA with only minor modification, if any. These provisions govern 
the distribution of patent rights to CRADA inventions. Generally, the 
rights of ownership are retained by the organization that is the 
employer of the inventor, with (1) the grant of a license for research 
and other Government purposes to the Government when the CRADA 
Collaborator's employee is the sole inventor, or (2) the grant of an 
option to elect an exclusive or nonexclusive license to the CRADA 
Collaborator when the Government employee is the sole inventor.

    Dated: September 3, 2000.
Kathleen Sybert,
Branch Chief, Technology Development & Commercialization Branch, 
National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 00-23670 Filed 9-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P