[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 74 (Thursday, April 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18972-18973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9470]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Availability for Non-Exclusive, Exclusive, or Partially Exclusive 
Licensing of U.S. Patent Concerning Monoclonal Antibody Against Ricin A 
Chain

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with 37 CFR 404.6 and 404.7, announcement is 
made of the availability for licensing of U.S. Patent No. 5,626,844 
entitled ``Monoclonal Antibody Against Ricin A Chain,'' issued May 6, 
1997. The United States Government, as represented by the Secretary of 
the Army, has rights in this invention.

ADDRESSES: Commander, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, 
ATTN: Command Judge Advocate, MCMR-JA, 504 Scott Street, Fort Detrick, 
Frederick, MD 21702-5012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For patent issues, Ms. Elizabeth 
Arwine, Patent Attorney, (301) 619-7808. For licensing issues, Dr. Paul 
Mele, Office of Research & Technology Assessment, (301) 619-6664, both 
at telefax (301) 619-5034.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Monoclonal antibodies against the A chain of 
ricin have been found to be effective in protecting mammals from 
morbidity arising from exposure to ricin toxin. The neutralizing action 
of the antibodies does not appear to be mediated by complement or by 
immunoprecipitation. The antibodies of the invention are characterized 
as of isotype IgGl having the binding characteristics which include: 
(a) binding specifically to the neutralizing epitope of the ricin A 
chain and (b) providing in vitro protection of at least 95% of EL-4 
cells from 100 [mu]g/mL ricin challenge when said antibody is present

[[Page 18973]]

in the tissue culture at a level of at least 1000 [mu]g/mL.

Luz D. Ortiz,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-9470 Filed 4-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M