[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 148 (Thursday, July 31, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44753-44754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17506]


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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.

Protein-tyrosine Phosphotase Inhibitors as Inhibitors of Human Tyrosyl-
DNA Phosphodiesterase (Tdp1) and Methods of Treating Disorders

    Description of Technology: Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase (Tdp1) is 
an enzyme that repairs topoisomerase I (Top1)-mediated DNA damage 
induced by chemotherapeutic agents (such as camptothecins) and 
ubiquitous DNA lesions that interfere with transcription and 
replication. Tdp1 is a relevant target for anticancer therapies due to 
its role in repairing Top1-mediated DNA damage and DNA damage 
associated with DNA strand breaks. Tdp1 inhibitors are expected to be 
effective in cancer treatment when used in combination with Top1 
inhibitors.
    The current invention is Me-3,4 dephostatin, and more generally 
protein-tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors, which is a Tdp1 inhibitor. Me-
3,4 dephostatin could potentiate the pharmacological action of Top1 
inhibitors.

Applications and Modality

     It is anticipated that Tdp1 inhibitors in association with 
Top1 inhibitors can have selective activity toward tumor tissues.
     Tdp1 inhibitors may exhibit antitumor activity by 
themselves because tumors have excess free radicals.

Market

     An estimated 1,444,920 new cancer diagnoses in the U.S. in 
2007.
     600,000 deaths caused by cancer in the U.S. in 2006.
     Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S.
     Cancer drug market will likely double to $50 billion in 
2010 from $25 billion in 2006.
    Development Status: The technology is currently in the pre-clinical 
stage of development.
    Inventors: Yves Pommier (NCI) et al.
    Relevant Publication: S Antony et al. Novel high-throughput 
electrochemiluminescent assay for identification of human tyrosyl-DNA 
phosphodiesterase (Tdp1) inhibitors and characterization for furamidine 
(NSC 305831) as an inhibitor of Tdp1. Nucleic Acid Res. 
2007;35(13):4474-4484.
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/042,706 filed 04 
Apr 2008 (HHS Ref. No. E-121-2008/0-US-01).
    Licensing Status: Available for exclusive and non-exclusive 
licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Adaku Nwachukwu, J.D.; 301-435-5560; 
[email protected].

Steroid Derivatives as Inhibitors of Human Tyrosyl-DNA 
Phosphodiesterase (Tdp1)

    Description of Technology: Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase (Tdp1) is 
an enzyme that repairs topoisomerase I (Top1)-mediated DNA damage 
induced by chemotherapeutic agents and ubiquitous DNA lesions that 
interfere with transcription. The current technology are steroid 
derivatives that human inhibit Tdp1.
    Currently, there are various types of Top1 inhibitors used in 
chemotherapy, e.g., camptothecin. However, Tdp1 inhibitors are expected 
to be effective in combination therapy with Top1 inhibitors for the 
treatment of cancers. Combining Tdp1 inhibitors with Top1 inhibitors 
would allow Tdp1 to potentiate the antiproliferative activity of Top1 
inhibitors. In addition to Tdp1's effect on Top1, Tdp1 inhibitors can 
also exhibit antitumor activity independently, as tumors are shown to 
have excess free radicals, and Tdp1 repairs DNA damage by oxygen 
radicals.
    Applications and Modality: It is anticipated that Tdp1 inhibitors 
in association with Top1 inhibitors can have selective activity toward 
tumor tissues. Tdp1 inhibitors may exhibit antitumor activity by 
themselves because tumors have excess free radicals.
    Market: 600,000 deaths from cancer related diseases were estimated 
in 2006. In 2006, cancer drug sales were estimated to be $25 billion.
    Development Status: The technology is currently in the pre-clinical 
stage of development.
    Inventors: Yves Pommier et al. (NCI).
    Patent Status:
     U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/000,430 filed 24 Oct 
2007 (HHS Reference No. E-130-2007/1-US-01).
     PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/004541 filed 05 Apr 2008, 
claiming priority to 05 Apr 2007 (HHS Reference No. E-130-2007/2-PCT-
01).
    Licensing Status: Available for exclusive and non-exclusive 
licensing.

[[Page 44754]]

    Licensing Contact: Adaku Nwachukwu, J.D.; 301/435-5560; 
[email protected].
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Cancer Institute, 
Center for Cancer Research, Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, is 
seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in 
collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize 
inhibitors of Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase (Tdp1). Please contact John 
D. Hewes, PhD at 301-435-3121 or [email protected] for more 
information.

    Dated: July 22, 2008.
Richard U. Rodriguez,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of 
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. E8-17506 Filed 7-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P