[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 6, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20956-20957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-10452]


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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.

Small Molecule Activators of Human Pyruvate Kinase for Treatment of 
Cancer and Enzyme-Deficient Hemolytic Anemia

    Description of Technology: NIH investigators have discovered a 
series of small compounds with the potential to treat a variety of 
cancers as well as hemolytic anemia. Contrary to most cancer 
medications, these molecules can be non-toxic to normal cells because 
they target a protein specific to the metabolic pathways in tumors, 
thus representing a significant clinical advantage over less-specific 
chemotherapeutics.
    The invention described here is a series of small molecules that 
activate pyruvate kinase (PK) isoform M2. PK-M2 is a critical metabolic 
enzyme that is affected in all forms of cancer. Inactivation of PK-M2 
leads to a buildup of metabolic intermediates inside the cell. Tumor 
cells require a buildup of metabolic intermediates in order to undergo 
rapid cell growth and proliferation. Hence, activation of PK-M2 in 
tumor cells may prevent the buildup of metabolic intermediates and 
thereby stall tumor cell proliferation or destroy the tumor cells. 
Further, while in normal adult cells only PK isoforms R, L, or M1 are 
active, in all tumors only PK-M2 is active. Therefore, PK-M2 activation 
would affect only tumor cells, and small-molecule PK-M2 activators are 
not expected to be toxic to healthy cells.
    In addition, in patients with PK-R deficiency the buildup of 
metabolic intermediates in red blood cells ultimately leads to the loss 
of water from the cells and cell death. Small-molecule induced 
activation of PK-R in PK-deficient red blood cells may enhance vitality 
of these cells and decrease or eliminate enzyme-deficient hemolytic 
anemia in a patient.
    Applications: Therapeutic for cancer; Therapeutic for enzyme-
deficient hemolytic anemia.
    Development Status: Early stage.
    Market: In the United States in 2008, approximately 1.4 million 
people were diagnosed with cancer. In addition, approximately 12,000 
people in the United States are chronically affected by PK-deficient 
hemolytic anemia.
    Inventors: Craig J. Thomas et al. (NHGRI).
    Publications: In preparation.
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/104,091 filed 09 
Oct 2008 (HHS Reference No. E-326-2008/0-US-01).
    Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Steve Standley, PhD; 301-435-4074; 
[email protected].

[[Page 20957]]

    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The NIH Chemical Genomics 
Center is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties 
interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or 
commercialize appropriate lead compounds described in U.S. Provisional 
Application No. 61/199,763. Please contact Dr. Craig J. Thomas via e-
mail ([email protected]) for more information.

Polyclonal Antibodies to the Kidney Protein Sodium-Hydrogen Exchanger 3 
(NHE3)

    Description of Technology: Antibodies to NHE3, useful for 
immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry, are available to resell for 
research purposes. NHE3 is a membrane Na+/H+ exchanger involved in 
maintenance of fluid volume homeostasis in the kidney. It is expressed 
on the apical membrane of the renal proximal tubule and plays a major 
role in NaCl and HCO3 absorption. The inventor has developed 
rabbit polyclonal antibodies directed against a peptide sequence common 
to human, rat and mouse NHE3.
    Applications: Western blotting and immunocytochemistry.
    Inventor: Mark A. Knepper (NHLBI).
    Related Publication: Unpublished.
    Patent Status: HHS Reference No. E-253-2008/0--Research Tool. 
Patent protection is not being pursued for this technology.
    Licensing Status: This technology is available as a research tool 
under a Biological Materials License.
    Licensing Contact: Steve Standley, Ph.D.; 301-435-4074; 
[email protected].

Polyclonal Antibodies to Thiazide-Sensitive Sodium-Chloride 
Cotransporter (NCC)

    Description of Technology: Antibodies to thiazide-sensitive sodium-
chloride cotransporter (NCC), useful for immunoblotting and 
immunocytochemistry, are available to resell for research purposes. NCC 
is found on the apical membrane of the distal convoluted tubule, where 
it is the principal mediator of Na+ and CI reabsorption in this segment 
of the nephron. NCC is the target of thiazide diuretics used in the 
treatment of hypertension. The inventors have developed rabbit 
polyclonal antibodies directed against a peptide sequence in the C-
terminal region of NCC.
    Applications: Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.
    Inventor: Mark A. Knepper (NHLBI).
    Related Publication: HL Biner, MP Arpin-Bott, J Loffing, X Wang, M 
Knepper, SC Hebert, B Kaissling. Human cortical distal nephron: 
distribution of electrolyte and water transport pathways. J Am Soc 
Nephrol. 2002 Apr;13(4):836-847.
    Patent Status: HHS Reference No. E-254-2008/0--Research Tool. 
Patent protection is not being pursued for this technology.
    Licensing Status: This technology is available as a research tool 
under a Biological Materials License.
    Licensing Contact: Steve Standley, Ph.D.; 301-435-4074; 
[email protected].

Polyclonal Antibodies to NKCC2, a Kidney-Specific Member of the Cation 
Chloride Co-transporter Family, SLC12A1

    Description of Technology: Antibodies to NKCC2, useful for 
immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry, are available to resell for 
research purposes. NKCC2 is found on the apical surface of the thick 
ascending limb of the loop of Henle, where it facilitates transport of 
sodium, potassium, and chloride ions from the lumen of the renal thick 
ascending limb into the cell. Transport of sodium dilutes the luminal 
fluid, decreasing its osmolality creating an osmotic driving force for 
water reabsorption in the connecting tubule and cortical collecting 
duct under the influence of the hormone vasopressin. NKCC2 is blocked 
by loop diuretics such as furosemide. The inventor has developed rabbit 
polyclonal antibodies directed against a peptide sequence in the N-
terminal tail of NKCC2.
    Applications: Western blotting and immunocytochemistry.
    Inventor: Mark A. Knepper (NHLBI).
    Related Publications:
    1. GH Kim, CA Ecelbarger, C Mitchell, RK Packer, JB Wade, MA 
Knepper. Vasopressin increases Na-K-2CI cotransporter expression in 
thick ascending limb of Henle's loop. Am J Physiol. 1999 Jan;276(1 Pt 
2):F96-F103.
    2. HL Brooks, AJ Allred, KT Beutler, TM Cofiman, MA Knepper. 
Targeted proteomic profiling of renal Na+ transporter and channel 
abundances in angiotensin II type 1a receptor knockout mice. 
Hypertension. 2002 Feb;39(2 Pt 2):470-473.
    Patent Status: HHS Reference No. E-255-2008/0--Research Tool. 
Patent protection is not being pursued for this technology.
    Licensing Status: This technology is available as a research tool 
under a Biological Materials License.
    Licensing Contact: Steve Standley, Ph.D.; 301-435-4074; 
[email protected].

Polyclonal Antibodies to the Kidney Protein Urea Transporter 1 (UTA1)

    Description of Technology: Antibodies to UTA1, useful for 
immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry, are available to resell for 
research purposes. Urea Transporter 1 (UTA1) is activated by 
vasopressin and is responsible for urea transport across the apical 
membrane into the intracellular space within the renal inner medullary 
collecting duct. The inventor has developed rabbit polyclonal 
antibodies directed against a peptide sequence in human UTA1. Antibody 
also recognizes UTA3, another product of the same gene.
    Applications: Western blotting and immunocytochemistry.
    Inventor: Mark A. Knepper (NHLBI).
    Related Publication: S Nielsen, J Terris, CP Smith, MA Hediger, CA 
Ecelbarger, MA Knepper. Cellular and subcellular localization of the 
vasopressin-regulated urea transporter in rat kidney. Proc Natl Acad 
Sci USA. 1996 May 28;93(11):5495-500.
    Patent Status: HHS Reference No. E-268-2008/0--Research Tool. 
Patent protection is not being pursued for this technology.
    Licensing Status: This technology is available as a research tool 
under a Biological Materials License.
    Licensing Contact: Steve Standley, Ph.D.; 301-435-4074; 
[email protected].

    Dated: April 28, 2009.
Richard U. Rodriguez,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of 
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. E9-10452 Filed 5-5-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P