[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 121 (Monday, June 25, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34693-34694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12174]


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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

[[Page 34694]]

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.

Zscan4: A Gene Critical for Early Embryonic Development

    Description of Technology: Activation of transcription from the 
embryonic genome, known as zygotic genome activation (ZGA), marks the 
key switch from maternal to embryonic control of development and 
establishes gene expression patterns required for continued development 
of the embryo. Genes expressed during ZGA may be important for assisted 
reproductive technologies, and in stem cell research and development.
    The inventors have identified Zscan4, a gene expressed solely in 
late 2-cell stage embryos and in embryonic stem cells. Inhibition of 
Zscan4 expression using siRNA techniques delays progression from the 2-
cell stage to the 4-cell stage, and produces blastocysts that fail to 
implant in the mouse embryo. Thus, Zscan4 plays an essential role in 
early embryonic development, with potential applications for the 
development of stem cell therapeutics. The invention discloses methods 
of promoting blastocyst outgrowth of embryonic stem cells. Also 
disclosed are Zscan4 expression vectors and methods of identifying a 
subpopulation of stem cells expressing Zscan4.
    Applications: Development of stem cell therapeutics; Assisted 
reproduction technologies and studies of early embryonic development.
    Market: State and federal funding for stem cell research is 
predicted to reach $10 billion by 2018.
    Development Status: Early stage.
    Inventors: Minoru S. Ko et al. (NIA).
    Publications: Geppino Falco et al. Zscan4: A novel gene expressed 
exclusively in late 2-cell embryos and embryonic stem cells. Dev Biol., 
in press.
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/920,215 filed 26 
Mar 2007 (HHS Reference No. E-088-2007/0-US-01).
    Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive 
licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Tara L. Kirby, Ph.D.; 301/435-4426; 
[email protected].

Retrovirus Packaging Cell Lines Based on Gibbon Ape Leukemia Virus

    Description of Technology: Gene therapy and gene transfer have 
recently been recognized as effective therapeutic tools to combat 
diseases. Accordingly, market demands for vectors and carriers to 
facilitate such interventions have surged in recent years. Retroviral 
vectors provide an efficient and safe means of gene transfer to 
eukaryotic cells. The present invention relates to genetic engineering 
involving retrovirus packaging cells that produce retroviral vectors. 
Specifically, the invention involves the expression plasmids encoding 
the envelope glycoproteins of a family of primate type C retrovirus, 
namely, the Gibbon Ape leukemia virus (GALV). Recombinant vectors 
derived from murine leukemia virus (MLV) have been widely used to 
introduce genes in human gene therapy clinical trials. A key 
determinant for their use in clinical gene therapy is the availability 
of packaging cell lines capable of producing large amounts of virus 
with identical titers. The present invention describes the packaging 
cell lines that produce MLV-based gene transfer vectors with the 
envelope from gibbon ape leukemia virus. Retroviral vectors produced 
are of high titer and have an expanded host range providing a means for 
gene transfer to a wide range of animal species. The gene transfer 
vectors produced are non-infectious and there was no evidence of 
production of helper virus, making these vectors safe. These cell lines 
are critical for producing large amounts of standardized vector 
necessary for efficient in vivo and ex vivo gene transfer. Therefore, 
this invention has a significant commercial application as a tool in 
the development of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions related to 
gene transfer and gene therapy.
    Inventors: Maribeth V. Eiden (NIMH) et al.
    Patent Status: U.S. Patent No. 5,470,726 issued 28 Nov 1995 (HHS 
Reference No. E-201-1991/0-US-02).
    Licensing Status: Available for non-exclusive licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Tara L. Kirby, Ph.D.; 301/435-4426; 
[email protected].
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Institute of 
Mental Health, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Regulation, is 
seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in 
collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize 
the Gibbon Ape leukemia virus (GALV) packaging cell line. Please 
contact Suzanne Winfield at [email protected] for more information.

    Dated: June 14, 2007.
Steven M. Ferguson,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of 
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. E7-12174 Filed 6-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P