[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 18 (Monday, January 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 3904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2029]


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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 contacting Marlene Shinn, 
J.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. 285; fax: 301/402-0220; e-mail: 
[email protected]. A signed Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be 
required to receive copies of the patent applications.

Novel Vectors for Identifying Transgenic and Gene Targeting Animals

Dr. Dan Buchholz et al. (NICHD)

DHHS Reference No. E-319-01/0--Research tool
    Advances in vertebrate genetics have led to the development of gene 
knockout animals that allow for the study of gene function and 
transgenic analysis. This has also encouraged the development of gene-
based therapies through introduction of exogenous genes to enhance and/
or replace dysfunctional or missing genes. Yet, although the advances 
have been many, the analysis remains complicated with tedious screening 
of animals containing the desired genotype.
    The NIH announces a double-promoter plasmid that carries a 
transgene under the control of any preferred promoter and the Green 
Fluorescent Protein (GFP) under the control of the eye-specific 
crystalline-promoter for transgenesis. This construct creates a green 
fluorescence in the eyes of the transgenic animals thus allowing for 
easy identification. Companies that work in the transgenic or gene 
targeting areas would find this plasmid useful in quickly and 
efficiently identifying desired transgenic animals with biological 
functionality of their gene of interest.

Combined Inhibition of Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) and 
Phosphodiesterase-3 (PDE-3) as a Therapy for Th1 Mediated 
Autoimmune Diseases

Dr. Bibiana Bielekova et al. (NINDS)

DHHS Reference Nos. E-077-00/0 filed 22 Dec 2000 and E-077-00/1 filed 
21 Dec 2001
    Hyperactive Th1-mediated immune responses are thought to be 
involved in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases, including 
rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, vitiligo, 
and multiple sclerosis among others. Immune cells are known to produce 
primarily two classes of phosphodiesterases (PDE), the PDE4 and the 
PDE3 classes. Inhibitors of these PDEs have been shown to down-regulate 
the expression or production of Th1 cytokines and have either no effect 
or augment the production of Th2 cytokines, therefore making them good 
candidates for the treatment of Th1-mediated autoimmune diseases.
    The NIH announces a new technology wherein PDE-4 and PDE-3 
inhibitors are used in combination and a synergistic enhancement of 
therapeutic activity is achieved. This results in a more potent 
immunomodulatory effect on the immune cells and could lead to the 
administration of lower dose rate of the inhibitors. This new form of 
treatment will alleviate side effects through the use of a lower dose 
rate for each and will make for a more effective therapy.

    Dated: January 17, 2002.
Jack Spiegel,
Director, Division of Technology, Development and Transfer, Office of 
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 02-2029 Filed 1-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P