[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 154 (Friday, August 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 45055]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15622]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis Cells and Other Reduced Cl-Conductance 
Cells

    Description of Technology: Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal 
genetic disease among Caucasians. It is caused by a defect in the 
cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) protein. A normal CFTR 
transports chloride ions across the membrane of epithelial cells lining 
several organs in the body such as the lungs and the pancreas. The most 
debilitating consequence of the defective CFTR protein occurs in the 
lungs of cystic fibrosis patients, where insufficient chloride 
transport prevents water from exiting epithelial cells. This causes the 
lungs to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the airways 
and leads to fatal lung infections. Currently there is no cure for the 
disease. Present treatments result in undesired side effects such as 
cardiac, renal, and/or central nervous system tissue.
    The NIH has developed a method of identifying cystic fibrosis 
transmembrane regulator binding compounds for treating cells having a 
reduced Cl-conductance, such as cystic fibrosis cells. It has also 
identified a compound, 1,3-Diallyl-8-cyclohexylxanthine (DAX), for 
potential treatment of cystic fibrosis. Because DAX has specificity in 
target areas of activity, treatment with this compound can potentially 
prevent all of the complications of cystic fibrosis including the 
production of abnormal mucus and without undesired side effects. DAX is 
active in extremely low concentrations.
    Applications: Diagnostic; Therapeutic agent for the treatment of 
cells having a reduced Cl-conductance.
    Market: This is intended for cystic fibrosis or other reduced Cl-
conductance cells; Approximately 70,000 children and young adults 
worldwide, including 30,000 in the U.S. and 30,000 in Europe.
    Development Status: Dr. Pollard has performed pre-clinical testing.
    Inventors: Dr. Harvey B. Pollard and Dr. Kenneth A. Jacobson 
(NIDDK).
    Publications:
    1. N Arispe et al. ``Direct activation of cystic fibrosis 
transmembrane conductance regulator channels by 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-
dipropylxanthine (CPX) and 1,3-diallyl-8-cyclohexylxanthine (DAX),'' J 
Biol Chem. 1998 Mar 6;273(10):5727-5734.
    2. KA Jacobson, C Guay-Broder, PJM van Galen, C Gallo-Rodriguez, N 
Melman, O Eidelman, HB Pollard. ``Stimulation by alkylxanthines of 
chloride efflux in CFPAC-cells does not involve A1-adenosine 
receptors,'' Biochemistry, 1995 Jul 18;34(28):9088-9094.
    Patent Status:
    U.S. Patent No. 5,877,179 issued 02 Mar 1999 (HHS Reference No. E-
138-1992/1-US-01). This patent is for identifying binding compounds and 
composition of matter.
    U.S. Patent No. 6,083,954 issued 04 Jul 2000 (HHS Reference No. E-
138-1992/1-US-02). This patent is for treating CF.
    Foreign patent rights available.
    Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive 
licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Catherine A. Wendelken; 301/435-5282; 
[email protected].

    Dated: August 3, 2007.
Steven M. Ferguson,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of 
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
 [FR Doc. E7-15622 Filed 8-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P