[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25850-25851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6547]


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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, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The inventions listed below are owned by an agency 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.

Predictive Test for Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Asymptomatic 
Individuals

    Description of Technology: Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) 
is the leading cause of severe, irreversible vision loss for those over 
the age of fifty in the United States and in other developed countries. 
Thirteen million Americans over the age of forty have ARMD. ARMD is 
caused by the deterioration of the central area of the retina, or 
macula, resulting in a loss of central vision. This disease is believed 
to be a multigenic disorder, and is triggered by environmental factors 
such as smoking, age or diet in genetically susceptible individuals.
    The present invention describes a highly predictive genetic test 
for universal practical clinical use to identify individuals at 
increased risk for ARMD. It comprises a rapid, accurate and affordable 
genetic screen, utilizing DNA microarray technology on a single chip. 
Sixteen genes are screened for 90 mutations/polymorphisms associated 
with ARMD, with a high predictive power (up to 92.7%) to identify 
asymptomatic carriers at risk. Accurate prediction of genetic 
susceptibility to this disorder will allow interventions to protect at-
risk individuals.
    Application(s): Diagnostic kit to identify asymptomatic individuals 
at risk for age-related macular degeneration; make possible the

[[Page 25851]]

identification of genetic factors in an affected individual, aiding in 
the development of a tailored therapeutic plan; provide genetic 
epidemiologic data to elucidate the role of genetic factors in the 
progression of the disease.
    Market: Individuals at risk for age-related macular degeneration. 
There are an estimated 15 million cases of age-related macular 
degeneration in the United States, and 50 million cases worldwide.
    Development Status: This technology requires analytic validation 
before commercialization.
    Inventors: Cigdem F. Dogulu, Owen M. Rennert, and Wai-Yee Chan 
(NICHD)
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/733,042 filed 02 
Nov 2005 (HHS Reference No. E-023-2006/0-US-01)
    Licensing Status: Available for non-exclusive or exclusive 
licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Fatima Sayyid, M.H.P.M.; 301/435-4521; 
[email protected]
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The NICHD Laboratory of 
Clinical Genomics is seeking statements of capability or interest from 
parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, 
evaluate, or commercialize Method Evolved for Recognition and Testing 
of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (MERT-ARMD). Please contact Kenneth 
J. Rose, Esq, PhD., at (301) 496-0477 or [email protected] for more 
information.

Method for Promoting Stem Cell Survival

     Description of Technology: Regenerative medicine holds the 
potential to revolutionize the treatment of a host of diseases, such as 
neurodegenerative disorders, stroke, and many others. Stem cell 
technologies are a central focus of regenerative medicine research and 
treatment of cancer. An essential component of this research is the 
ability to control stem cell survival.
    This technology describes a method to promote stem cell survival 
and proliferation by manipulating the phosphorylation state a key 
protein in these processes. This method has been shown to enhance 
survival and proliferation in stem cell cultures in vitro, and also in 
neuronal precursor cells in vivo.
    Application(s): Clinical treatment for stroke and other 
neurodegenerative diseases by administration of agents that promote 
stem cell survival and proliferation; increased generation of stem 
cells in vitro; diagnostic assay for cancer to determine the 
phosphorylation state of the protein in tumors; screening assays for 
agents that promote proliferation of stem cells or inhibit 
proliferation of cancer cells.
    Market: Treatment for neurodegenerative disorders such as 
Parkinson's disease or stroke; prognostic marker to help determine 
response of individuals with cancer; commercial suppliers or large-
scale users of stem cells.
    Development Status: Early stage.
    Inventors: Andreas Androutsellis-Theotokis and Ronald D.G. McKay 
(NINDS).
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/715,935 filed 08 
Sep 2005 (HHS Reference No. E-239-2005/0-US-01).
    Licensing Status: Available for non-exclusive or exclusive 
licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Fatima Sayyid, M.H.P.M.; (301) 435-4521; 
[email protected].
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Institute of 
Neurological Disorders and Stroke is seeking statements of capability 
or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to 
further develop, evaluate, or commercialize agents that inhibit or 
induce phosphorylation of a protein that is a key regulator of 
proliferation and survival of stem cells and precursor cells. Please 
contact Martha Lubet at (301) 435-3120 or [email protected].

    Dated: April 24, 2006.
Steven M. Ferguson,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer Office of 
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. E6-6547 Filed 5-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4167-01-P