[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 14, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55799-55801]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22834]


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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.

Assay for Arf GTP-Binding Proteins

    Description of Invention: The worldwide laboratory research 
reagents market is expected to surpass $13 billion in 2010, and the 
field of biotechnology appears key to maintaining the market's growth. 
Antibodies are becoming increasingly significant, especially for 
targeting the diseased cells and cell compounds.
    Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, have 
developed an antibody-based assay that measures levels of Arf GTP-
binding proteins, some of which have been linked to the invasive 
behavior of cancer cells. The assay is robust, can be performed both on 
cell lysates and fixed cells, and can distinguish among specific 
endogenous Arf-GTP isoforms.
    Applications:
     Research on Arf function in physiology and cancer.
     Research on cancer invasion.
     Research on membrane traffic and actin reorganization.
    Advantages:
     Ability to distinguish between the specific isoforms 
(i.e., Arf1, Arf3, Arf4, Arf5, and Arf6).
     Antibodies bind preferentially to the GTP-bound form of 
Arf.
    Inventor: Paul A. Randazzo (NCI).
    Relevant Publications:
    1. Spang A et al. Arf GAPs: gatekeepers of vesicle generation. FEBS 
Lett. 2010 Jun 18;584(12):2646-2651. [PubMed: 20394747].
    2. Campa F and Randazzo PA. Arf GTPase-activating proteins and 
their potential role in cell migration and invasion. Cell Adh Migr. 
2008 Oct; 2(4):258-262. [PubMed: 19262159].
    Patent Status: HHS Reference No. E-198-2010/0--Research Material. 
Patent protection is not being pursued for this technology.
    Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Patrick P. McCue, PhD, (301) 435-5560; 
[email protected].
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The Center for Cancer Research, 
Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, is seeking statements of 
capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative 
research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize this 
technology. Please contact John D. Hewes, PhD at 301-435-3121 or 
[email protected] for more information.

Sequences Encoding Two Novel Human Polyomaviruses

    Description of Invention: Researchers at the National Cancer 
Institute, NIH, have discovered two species of a previously unknown 
polyomavirus genus.
    Polyomaviruses are a diverse group of DNA-based viruses that infect 
humans and various animals. At least one human polyomavirus, the Merkel 
cell polyomavirus (MCV), plays a causal role in the development of an 
unusual form of skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma. The coat 
proteins of polyomaviruses can spontaneously assemble into virus-like 
particles (VLPs) similar to those that have been used in the recent 
vaccines against human papillomaviruses (HPVs).
    Applications:
     Development of clinical diagnostic assays to detect 
linkages between the new polyomaviruses and human cancers.
     Development of a VLP-based prophylactic vaccine similar to 
the HPV vaccine.
    Advantages: DNA sequences have broad applications in the studies of 
polyomavirus infection mechanisms and carcinogenesis. Notably, they 
are:
     Identification and purification of the normal and mutated 
polyomaviral proteins.
     Studies of antisense oligonucleotides in polyomavirus 
biology.
     Development of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies 
against polyomaviruses.
    Development Status: Pre-clinical.
    Inventors: Christopher B. Buck and Diana V. Pastrana (NCI).
    Relevant Publication: Schowalter RM et al. Merkel cell polyomavirus 
and two previously unknown polyomaviruses are chronically shed from 
human skin. Cell Host Microbe Jun 25;7(6):509-515. [PubMed: 20542254].
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/318,080 filed 26 
Mar 2010 (HHS Reference No. E-051-2010/0-US-01).
    Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Patrick P. McCue, PhD; 301-435-5560; 
[email protected].

Fenoterol and Fenoterol Analogues for Treatment of Glioma, 
Glioblastoma, and Astrocytoma

    Description of Invention: To date there is no effective treatment 
for the brain tumors or brain cancers indentified as gliomas, 
glioblastomas, or astrocytomas.
    This technology relates to the discovery that fenoterol and related 
analogues block astrocytoma and glioblastoma cell division at low 
doses. In a xenograft model utilizing the 1321N1 astrocytoma tumor 
implanted in the flank of SKID mice, the (R,R)-4-methoxyfenoterol 
analogue significantly decreased tumor growth relative to a control 
group receiving vehicle and studies utilizing [\3\H]-(R,R)-4-
methoxyfenoterol have shown that the compound readily passes the blood-
brain barrier. The anti-tumor effect is associated with the ability of 
fenoterol and related analogues to induce production of cyclic 
adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which is normally decreased in 
glioblastomas and astrocytomas. Induced cAMP production inhibits brain 
tumor growth in vivo. Fenoterol and related analogues are beta-2 
adrenergic receptor ([beta]2 AR) agonists and the anti-tumor effect is 
associated with the expression of this receptor. Since there is a 
heterogeneous expression of [beta]2 AR in human brain tumors, patients 
who will respond to fenoterol therapy can be predetermined leading to 
individualized treatment. In addition to use in the initial treatment 
of brain tumors, the systemic and CNS bioavailability of the drug after 
oral

[[Page 55800]]

administration and the minimal systemic toxicity suggest that fenoterol 
and it analogs can be used in the adjuvant treatment of patients with 
[beta]2 AR-positive gliomas, glioblastomas or astrocytomas. Studies 
with a number of fenoterol analogs and CNS-implanted tumors are in 
progress.
    The fenoterol analogues discussed in this technology are subject to 
HHS Ref. No. E-205-2006/3 (U.S. Patent Application No. 12/376,945 and 
PCT Publication No. WO/2008/022038).
    Applications: Therapeutic in the front line and adjuvant treatment 
of glioma, glioblastoma and astrocytoma.
    Advantages: Potential first-in-class therapeutic for multiple types 
of brain tumors.
    Development Status: In vivo: tumor models in SKID mice. In vitro: 
cell-based assays using human glioblastoma and astrocytoma cell lines. 
Further in vivo studies in animal models are underway.
    Market: Approximately 17,000 Americans are diagnosed with gliomas 
annually (http://www.mayoclinic.org/glioma/).
    Inventors: Irving W. Wainer (NIA), et al.
    Publication: Submitted.
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/312,642 filed 10 
Mar 2010 (HHS Reference No. E-013- 2010/0).
    Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Fatima Sayyid, M.H.P.M.; 301-435-4521; 
[email protected].
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Institute on 
Aging, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, is seeking statements of 
capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative 
research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize the use of 
fenoterol and fenoterol analogs in the front line and adjuvant 
treatment of CNS tumors and other [beta]2 AR expressing tumors. Please 
contact Nicole Darack, PhD at 301-435-3101 or [email protected] for 
more information.

Chemical Attraction: Cell Lines Expressing the CXCR1 or CXCR2 Chemokine 
Receptors

    Description of Invention: Chemoattractant receptors have been 
identified as important factors in regulating many innate and adaptive 
immune responses. Modulation of these receptors have implications for 
shifting immune responses to create either a dampening effect in 
fighting inflammatory diseases, such as autoimmune diseases or 
cardiovascular diseases, or a boosting effect to generate more 
effective responses to infectious agents, tumors, and promote wound 
healing. Chemokine receptors are expressed on a variety of tumor cells 
and play a role in helping cancer cells sense new microenvironments for 
metastatic growth.
    Scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have 
developed human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell lines that express the 
CXCR1 chemokine receptor or the CXCR2 chemokine receptor. These two 
receptors are also known as the IL-8 receptor-alpha and IL-8 receptor-
beta, respectively. They both effectively bind IL-8, a potent 
neutrophil chemoattractant, as well as other chemokines with varying 
affinities. The collection of cell lines produced by these scientists 
includes HEK 293 cells that express the wild-type CXCR1, wild-type 
CXCR2, or mutant variants of each receptor. The cell lines were created 
by stably transfecting vectors containing the cDNA for each receptor 
into HEK 293 cells. HEK 293 cells transfected with the wild-type CXCR1 
or CXCR2 display strong chemoattractant properties when placed in the 
presence of their corresponding CXC family chemokines, such as IL-8.
    Application:
     Research tools for testing the activity of potential drugs 
and chemokine analogs in their ability to block cellular responses 
triggered by CXC chemokines, such as inflammatory responses induced by 
IL-8
     Cell lines expressing the wild-type CXCR1 or CXCR2 can 
serve as positive controls in chemokine receptor studies designed to 
identify novel chemoattractants or agents that inhibit chemokinetic 
functions.
     Research tool for screening compounds that block these 
receptors as a possible anti-cancer agent to inhibit angiogenesis and 
metastasis
    Advantages:
     Both wild-type and mutant cell lines available: Wild-type 
CXCR1/CXCR2 receptors or mutant receptors with point and deletion 
mutations have been cloned into HEK 293 cells. These cell lines will 
have varying degrees of potency for their chemoattractant responses to 
provide a range of functional comparisons in chemokine studies.
     Experimental verification of response to CXC family 
chemokines: The scientists have compiled years of data over various 
publications indicating that these receptors respond appropriately to a 
profile of chemokines.
    Inventors: Joost Oppenheim, Adit Ben-Baruch, Ji Ming Wang, David 
Kelvin (all NCI).
    Publications:
    1. E Cohen-Hillel, et al. Cell migration to the chemokine CXCL8: 
paxillin is activated and regulates adhesion and cell motility. Cell 
Mol Life Sci. 2009 Mar;66(5):884-899. [PubMed: 19151925].
    2. H Attal, et al. Intracellular cross-talk between the GPCR CXCR1 
and CXCR2: role of carboxyl terminus phosphorylation sites. Exp Cell 
Res. 2008 Jan 15;314(2):352-365. [PubMed: 17996233].
    3. A Ben-Baruch, et al. The differential ability of IL-8 and 
neutrophil-activating peptide-2 to induce attenuation of chemotaxis is 
mediated by their divergent capabilities to phosphorylate CXCR2 (IL-8 
receptor B). J Immunol. 1997 Jun 15;158(12):5927-5933. [PubMed: 
9190946].
    4. A Ben-Baruch, et al. IL-8 and NAP-2 differ in their capacities 
to bind and chemoattract 293 cells transfected with either IL-8 
receptor type A or type B. Cytokine 1997 Jan;9(1):37-45. [PubMed: 
9067094].
    5. A Ben-Baruch, et al. Interleukin-8 receptor beta. The role of 
the carboxyl terminus in signal transduction. J Biol Chem. 1995 Apr 
21;270(16):9121-9128. [PubMed: 7721826].
    Patent Status: HHS Reference No. E-221-2009/0--Research Tool. 
Patent protection is not being pursued for this technology.
    Licensing Status: Available for licensing under a Biological 
Materials License Agreement.
    Licensing Contact: Samuel E. Bish, Ph.D.; 301-435-5282; 
[email protected].

DLC-1 Gene Deleted in Cancers

    Description of Invention: Chromosomal regions that are frequently 
deleted in cancer cells are thought to be the loci of tumor suppressor 
genes, which restrict cell proliferation. Recurrent deletions on the 
short arm of human chromosome 8 in liver, breast, lung and prostate 
cancers have raised the possibility of the presence of tumor suppressor 
genes in this location.
    The inventors have discovered the deletion of human DLC-1 gene in 
hepatocellular cancer (HCC) cells. They have performed in vitro 
experiments demonstrating the deletion in over 40% of human primary HCC 
and in 90% of HCC cell lines. The DLC-1 gene is located on human 
chromosome 8p21.3-22, a region frequently deleted in many types of 
human cancer. DLC-1 mRNA is

[[Page 55801]]

expressed in all normal tissues tested, but it has either no or low 
expression in a high percentage of several types of human cancer, such 
as liver, breast, lung, and prostate cancers. Through in vitro and in 
vivo tumor suppression experiments, the inventors further demonstrated 
that DLC-1 acts as a new tumor suppressor gene for different types of 
human cancer.
    Applications:
     Method to diagnose HCC.
     Method to treat HCC patients with DLC-1 compositions.
     Transgenic model to study HCC and other types of human 
cancer.
     DLC-1 compositions.
    Market:
     Primary liver cancer accounts for about 2% of cancers in 
the U.S., but up to half of all cancers in some undeveloped countries.
     251,000 new cases are reported annually.
     Post-operative five year survival rate of HCC patients is 
30-40%.
    Development Status: The technology is currently in the pre-clinical 
stage of development.
    Inventors: Bao-Zhu Yuan, Snorri S. Thorgeirsson, Nicholas Popescu 
(NCI).
    Publications:
    1. BZ Yuan et al. DLC-1 operates as a tumor suppressor gene in 
human non-small cell lung carcinomas. Oncogene. 2004 Feb 19;23(7):1405-
1411. [PubMed: 14661059].
    2. BZ Yuan et al. DLC-1 gene inhibits human breast cancer cell 
growth and in vitro tumorigenicity. Oncogene. 2003 Jan 23;22(3):445-
450. [PubMed: 12545165].
    3. BZ Yuan et al. Promoter hypermethylation of DLC-1, a candidate 
tumor suppressor gene, in several common human cancers. Cancer Genet 
Cytogenet. 2003 Jan 15;140(2):113-117. [PubMed: 12645648].
    4. BZ Yuan et al. Cloning, characterization, and chromosomal 
localization of a gene frequently deleted in human liver cancer (DLC-1) 
homologous to rat RhoGAP. Cancer Res. 1998 May 15;58(10):2196-2199. 
[PubMed: 9605766].
    Patent Status:
     U.S. Patent No. 6,897,018 issued 24 May 2005 (HHS 
Reference No. E-042-1998/0-US-03).
     U.S. Patent No. 7,534,565 issued 19 May 2009 (HHS 
Reference No. E-042-1998/0-US-05).
    Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Jennifer Wong; 301-435-4633; 
[email protected].
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Cancer Institute, 
Laboratory of Experimental Carcinogenesis, is seeking statements of 
capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative 
research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize diagnostics 
based on tumor suppressor genes. Please contact John D. Hewes, PhD, at 
301-435-3121 or [email protected] for more information.

    Dated: September 7, 2010.
Richard U. Rodriguez,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of 
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2010-22834 Filed 9-13-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P