[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 179 (Thursday, September 14, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55638-55639]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23671]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


National Cancer Institute: Development of Molecular Computing 
Devices.

    An opportunity is available for a Cooperative Research and 
Development Agreement (CRADA) for collaboration with the NCI Intramural 
Division of Basic Sciences for the development of a prototype 
molecular-based computer, whose mode of operation would be by the 
select binding of proteins along a construct. This computer could be 
capable of data storage, the transformation of binary information, and 
signal readout. This opportunity is open for a multi-party 
collaboration where one collaborator provides biological expertise, 
particularly in the field of genetic engineering, and the second 
provides silicon-based technological expertise, particularly expertise 
in silicon micromachining.

AGENCY: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, PHS, 
DHHS.

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

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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 and/or silicon-based technology 
company. 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 products, diagnostics 
and treatments that result from the research. The CRADA Collaborator(s) 
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 21701, Telephone: (301) 846-5222; 
Facsimile: (301) 846-6820.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Organizations must submit a proposal summary, of one 
page or less, to NCI. Proposal review by NCI will begin on or before 
October 16, 2000. However, proposals will be accepted until appropriate 
collaborator(s) are found. Guidelines for preparing full CRADA 
proposals will be communicated 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 relating to a molecular 
computing device. This device will act in a manner analogous to those 
of electronic-based computers, such as by way of flip-flops, AND gates, 
etc. Coupling of the gates allows for molecular computing. The method 
allows for data storage, the transformation of binary information, and 
signal readout. Possibilities include encoding ``read only'' memory for 
microscopic identifiers, digital control of gene expression, and 
quantification of analytes. The computing elements also provide means 
for complex regulation of gene expression. 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 and/or silicon-based technology company which can assist 
in the development of this prototype as described in the patent which 
is pending. 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 
computer.
    2. Providing access to confidential information relating to the 
pending patent application.
    3. Planning research studies and interpreting research results.
    4. 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 to the development of a prototype molecular-
based computing device, particularly in the area of genetic engineering 
and/or silicon micromachining.
    2. Planning research studies and interpreting research results.
    3. Publishing research results.
    Selection criteria for choosing the CRADA Collaborator may include, 
but not be limited to:
    1. 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 and development 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

[[Page 55639]]

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. 00-23671 Filed 9-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P