[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35055-35056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12335]


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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.

Method for the Direct Detection and Quantitation of Asparagine 
Synthetase in Biological Samples

    Description of Technology: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a 
fast-growing cancer that targets immature cells of the blood and bone 
marrow. Clinical treatments of ALL use enzyme-based methods, such as L-
asparaginase (ASNase), for depletion of cellular asparagine in 
combination with standard chemotherapeutic agents. Although ASNase can 
be used to treat both childhood and adult forms of ALL, its use is 
limited because patients can often develop resistance to ASNase 
therapy. Studies have shown a correlation between ASNase resistance and 
increased expression levels of asparaginase synthetase (ASNS) enzyme, 
which catalyzes the biosynthesis of cellular L-asparagine from L-
aspartate in an ATP-dependent reaction. At present, measurement of ASNS 
expression levels are based on mRNA or antibody based assays; however, 
these methods are not suitable for direct quantitation of protein in 
biological samples. Thus, new and improved methods that directly 
measure ASNS protein levels are needed.
    Researchers at the NCI have developed novel methods for 
quantitating ASNS protein in biological samples using isotope-labeled 
standard peptides and mass spectrometry. The current technology 
describes methods of identifying a patient with cancer or 
chemoresistant cancer, monitoring the treatment regimen of a patient 
with cancer, as well as methods for detecting modulators and their 
ability to affect ASNS expression levels. Further described are novel 
pharmaceutical compositions with potential use as chemotherapeutic 
agents.
    Applications: Diagnostic assay for leukemia or chemoresistant 
cancer; Use in screening or identifying potential chemotherapeutic 
agents; Use in measuring a patient's sensitivity to ASNase therapy.
    Market: Approximately 5,200 people are diagnosed with ALL each year 
in the United States; ALL is the most common type of cancer in children 
in developed countries.
    Development Status: Early stage.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Conrads (NCI/SAIC) et al.
    Patent Status: International Application No. PCT/US06/28965 filed 
25 Jul 2006 (HHS Reference No. E-189-2006/0-PCT-01).
    Licensing Status: Available for exclusive and non-exclusive 
licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Robert M. Joynes, J.D., M.S.; 301-594-6565; 
[email protected].

[[Page 35056]]

Total Emission Detection System for Multi-Photon Microscopy

    Description of Technology: Available for licensing and commercial 
development is a novel two-photon microscope system, which would allow 
improved fluorescent light collection, the use of less excitation power 
and deeper penetration of tissue and isolated cells. Multi-photon 
fluorescence microscopy (MPFM) is an imaging technique that can 
investigate biological processes to sub-cellular resolution at depths 
of hundreds of microns below the surface of biological tissues. MPFM 
provides higher resolution imaging of tissues than confocal imaging, 
but is currently limited by the use of inefficient light collection 
systems, which lead to detection of only a fraction of the light that 
is emitted from the sample. The new system consists of an array of 
mirrors, lenses, and reflecting surfaces designed to collectively 
maximize the probability of collecting all emitted fluorescent light to 
a detector, thereby providing enhanced brightness of light detected 
from the sample and an increase in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This 
increase in SNR can be used to improve time resolution, reduce laser 
power requirements and reduce photodynamic damage.
    Applications: Three-dimensional imaging of biological tissues and 
cells; Three-dimensional imaging of semiconductor integrated circuits.
    Market: Optical Imaging.
    Development Status: Late-stage technology.
    Inventors: Christian A. Combs, Robert S. Balaban, Jay R. Knutson 
(NHLBI).
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/835,462 filed 04 
Aug 2006 (HHS Reference No. E-257-2005/0-US-01).
    Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive 
licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Chekesha S. Clingman, Ph.D.; 301-435-5018; 
[email protected]
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The NHLBI Light Microscopy Core 
Facility is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties 
interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or 
commercialize a total emission detection system for multi-photon 
imaging. Please contact Lili Portilla, Director of the NHLBI Office of 
Technology Transfer and Development at 301-402-5579 or via e-mail at 
[email protected] for more information.

    Dated: June 19, 2007.
Steven M. Ferguson,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of 
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
 [FR Doc. E7-12335 Filed 6-25-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P