[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 37 (Thursday, February 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10375-10378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4170]


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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.

Terahertz Spatial Light Modulator System for Adaptive Near-Field 
Imaging

    Description of Technology: The invention offered for licensing is 
in the field of imaging microscopes and relates to a terahertz light 
modulator system, and in particular to a terahertz spatial light 
modulator system for adaptive near-field imaging.
    More specifically, the invention relates to a spatial light 
modulator system for adaptive near-field imaging having an optical 
source for transmitting an optical beam through a filter which is 
controlled to convert the optical light beam into a filtered optical 
light beam to define one or more transmission pathways through a 
photoconductive material. The system further includes a terahertz light 
source for transmitting a terahertz beam through one or more 
transmission pathways defined by the filtered optical light beam 
through the photoconductive material for illuminating and scanning the 
sample without the use of moving structural components. The device 
would allow micron-scale spatial resolution, would remove the need to 
mechanically scan a sample, and would allow automatic adjustment of 
image resolution and transmitted terahertz power. The near-field 
terahertz microscope of the invention could have a compact, fiber-
coupled sensor head with no moving parts--ideal for scientific, 
medical, and industrial applications like crystal growth optimization, 
skin cancer diagnosis, and semiconductor chip inspection. In one 
application, such as ``one-cut'' surgery, the compact sensor

[[Page 10376]]

head of the terahertz imaging system has the capability of 
distinguishing healthy cells from cancerous cells with micron-scale 
spatial resolution by immediately identifying a skin cancer margin 
without the need for laboratory work or additional surgery. In another 
application, the terahertz imaging system may be used in nondestructive 
semiconductor chip inspection since the terahertz imaging system 
provides micron-scale spatial resolution.
    Applications:
     Biomedical research applications (living tissues have 
distinctive terahertz absorption signals)
     Clinical applications like diagnostics of skin cancer 
(skin cancer and normal skin reflect terahertz radiation differently)
     Industrial applications like crystal growth optimization
     Industrial applications like semiconductor chip 
inspection.
    Advantages: The system provides micron-scale spatial resolution, 
while removing any need to mechanically scan samples (it is equipped 
with a fiber-coupled sensor head), and at the same time allows 
automatic adjustment of image resolution and transmitted terahertz 
power.
    Development Status: In development. Prototype is being built.
    Inventors: Hari Shroff et al. (NIBIB).
    Relevant Publications:
    1. Mair S, Gompf B, Dressel M. Microspectroscopy and imaging in the 
THz range using coherent CW radiation. Phys Med Biol. 2002 Nov 
7;47(21):3719-3725. [PubMed: 12452559]
    2. Chen Q, Jiang Z, Xu GX, Zhang XC. Near-field terahertz imaging 
with a dynamic aperture. Opt Lett. 2000 Aug 1;25(15):1122-1124. 
[PubMed: 18064291]
    3. Wallace VP, Fitzgerald AJ, Shankar S, Flanagan N, Pye R, Cluff 
J, Arnone DD. Terahertz pulsed imaging of basal cell carcinoma ex vivo 
and in vivo. Br J Dermatol. 2004 Aug;151(2):424-432. [PubMed: 15327550]
    4. Hu BB, Nuss MC. Imaging with terahertz waves. Opt Lett. 1995 Aug 
15;20(16):1716-1718.
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/425,007 filed 20 
Dec 2010 (HHS Reference No. E-243-2010/0-US-01).
    Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
    Licensing Contact:
     Uri Reichman, PhD, MBA; 301-435-4616; [email protected].
     Michael Shmilovich, Esq.; 301-435-5019; 
[email protected].
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Institute of 
Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering is seeking statements of 
capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative 
research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize this 
technology. Please contact Hari Shroff at [email protected] or 301-
435-1995 for more information.

Versatile Melanoma Antigen Family A3 (MAGE-A3) Specific Human T Cell 
Receptors To Treat Cancer That Also Recognize Other MAGE-A Antigen 
Superfamily Members

    Description of Technology: Current approaches for treating cancer 
can also generate harsh side effects in patients and many cancer 
patients do not respond to generalized chemotherapy and radiation. New 
and improved therapeutic strategies need to be characterized by reduced 
side-effects and enhancements in specific anti-tumor activity in 
individual patients. Adoptive immunotherapy is a promising new approach 
to cancer treatment that engineers an individual's innate and adaptive 
immune system to fight against specific diseases, such as cancer. 
Scientists are aiming to improve cell transfer therapies by targeting 
an increasing collection of tumor antigens with more effective immune 
cell cultures.
    T cell receptors (TCRs) are specialized proteins that recognize 
antigens in the context of infected or transformed cells and activate T 
cells to mediate an immune response and destroy abnormal cells. TCRs 
consist of a variable domain that recognizes the antigen and a constant 
region that anchors the TCR to the membrane and transmits recognition 
signals by interacting with other proteins. When a TCR is activated by 
recognizing its antigen, such as a tumor antigen, signaling pathways 
are triggered in the cell to produce cytokines that mediate the immune 
response.
    Scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have 
developed T cells genetically engineered to recognize melanoma antigen 
family A3 (MAGE-A3) peptide antigens. MAGE-A superfamily antigens, 
including MAGE-A3, are expressed primarily by tumor cells from a 
variety of cancers. Other than germ cells of the testis, normal cells 
do not express MAGE-A3 and other MAGE-A proteins, which makes these 
antigens ideal targets for developing cancer immunotherapies. There are 
twelve (12) known MAGE-A genes designated A1-A12. The normal function 
of MAGE-A3 is not completely known, but in cancerous cells it appears 
to mediate fibronectin-controlled tumor growth and spreading. MAGE-A3 
is one of the most widely expressed cancer testis antigens (CTAs) on 
human tumors and its expression increases as the cancer progresses to 
more advanced stages. The T cell receptors (TCRs) developed by these 
NIH scientists have specificity for MAGE-A3 and MAGE-A12 and deliver a 
robust immune response when they encounter tumor cells expressing these 
antigens. These TCRs also recognize MAGE-A2 and/or MAGE-A6, but to a 
lesser extent that MAGE-A3 and MAGE-A12. The ability to recognize 
antigens from multiple MAGE-A family members could allow these TCRs to 
be utilized in the treatment of multiple types of cancer in a wide 
array of cancer patients. Infusing cancer patients with MAGE-A3 
specific T cells via adoptive immunotherapy could prove to be a 
powerful approach for selectively attacking tumors without generating 
toxicity against noncancerous cells.
    Applications:
     Immunotherapeutics to treat and/or prevent the recurrence 
of a variety of human cancers, including melanoma, lung cancers, head 
and neck cancers, liver cancers, and multiple myeloma, by adoptively 
transferring the gene-modified T cells into patients whose tumors 
express a MAGE-A family member protein recognized by this TCR.
     A drug component of a combination immunotherapy regimen 
aimed at targeting specific tumor-associated antigens, including MAGE-
A3, MAGE-A12, and MAGE-A2 and/or MAGE-A6 expressed by cancer cells 
within individual patients.
     A research tool to investigate signaling pathways in MAGE-
A antigen expressing cancer cells.
     An in vitro diagnostic tool to screen for cells expressing 
a MAGE-A antigens.
    Advantages:
     Selective toxicity for tumor cells--MAGE-A3 and other 
MAGE-A proteins are only expressed on testis germ cells and tumor 
cells. Thus, infused cells expressing an anti-MAGE-A3 TCR should target 
MAGE-A3-expressing tumor cells with little or no toxicity to normal 
cells. Immunotherapy with these T cells should yield little or no harsh 
side effects to patients.
     Ability to recognize multiple MAGE-A antigens--Since these 
MAGE-A3 directed TCRs can also recognize up to three (3) additional 
MAGE-A antigens (MAGE-A12, A2, and A6), cells expressing these TCRs are 
expected to be able to fight a larger range of tumor types. During 
treatment, if an infused anti-MAGE-A3 T cell culture encounters tumor 
cells expressing other recognized MAGE-A antigens, these T cells would 
not only

[[Page 10377]]

be capable of eliminating the MAGE-A3 expressing tumor cells, but MAGE-
A12, MAGE-A2, and MAGE-A6 expressing cells as well. This versatility 
should allow these TCRs to be utilized to treat a broader range of 
cancer patients.
     Expression on a majority of tumors --MAGE-A3 is one of the 
most highly expressed cancer testis antigens (CTAs) on human tumors. 
For example, over half of melanoma tumors and non-small cell lung 
cancer cells express MAGE-A3. A large spectrum of cancer patients 
should be eligible for treatment with these MAGE-A3 TCRs should they 
prove successful in clinical studies.
    Development Status: This technology is in an early clinical stage 
of development.
    Inventors: Richard A. Morgan, et al. (NCI).
    Publications:
    1. N Chinnasamy et al. A TCR Targeting the HLA-A*0201-Restricted 
Epitope of MAGE-A3 Recognizes Multiple Epitopes of the MAGE-A Antigen 
Superfamily in Several Types of Cancer. J Immunol. 2011 Jan 
15;186(2):685-696. [PubMed: 21149604]
    2. V Cesson et al. MAGE-A3 and MAGE-A4 specific CD4(+) T cells in 
head and neck cancer patients: Detection of naturally acquired 
responses and identification of new epitopes. Cancer Immunol 
Immunother. 2010 Sept. 21, E-pub ahead of print, doi: 10.1007/s00262-
010-0916-z. [PubMed: 20857101]
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/405,668 filed 22 
October 2010 (HHS Reference No. E-236-2010/0-US-01).
    Related Technologies: T cell receptor technologies developed 
against other CTAs: E-304-2006/0 and E-312-2007/1 (anti-NY-ESO-1) and 
E-269-2010/0 (anti-SSX-2).
    Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Samuel E. Bish, PhD; 301-435-5282; 
[email protected].
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Cancer Institute 
Surgery Branch is seeking statements of capability or interest from 
parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, 
evaluate, or commercialize the use of anti-MAGE-A T-cell receptors for 
the adoptive immunotherapy of cancer. Please contact John Hewes, PhD at 
301-435-3121 or [email protected] for more information.

Selective 12-Human Lipoxygenase Inhibitors for the Treatment of 
Diabetes and Clotting

    Description of Technology: This invention discloses small molecule 
inhibitors of human 12-lipoxygenase (12-hLO). 12-lipoxygenase 
expression, activation, and lipid metabolites have been implicated in 
type 1 and type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, 
Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease. The development of 12-hLO 
inhibitors may be a potent intracellular approach to decreasing the 
ability of platelets to form large clots in response to vessel injury 
or activation of the coagulation pathway. Thus, 12-hLO inhibition has 
the potential to attenuate platelet-mediated clot formation caused by 
diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease and significantly decrease the 
occurrence of myocardial infarction and death. Moreover, Type 1 and 
Type 2 diabetes are serious disorders that can lead to major 
complications and reduced lifespan. An unmet medical need is to 
identify new ways to protect beta cells in these metabolic disorders. A 
selective 12-hLO inhibitor could provide a new therapeutic approach to 
prevent or treat either form of diabetes.
    Applications:
     Therapeutic developments (blood clots; Type 1 and Type 2 
diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases)
     Inflammatory responses
    Advantages:
     Small molecule (series of analogs can be derived in search 
of improved performances and/or different functions)
     Selective inhibitor of human 12-lipoxygenase
    Market:
     Metabolic disorders
     Neurodegeneration
     Research tool--screening for 12-lipoxygenase-mediated 
responses in various human cell lines
    Development Status: Pre-clinical; no animal data.
    Inventors: David J Maloney (NHGRI); Ajit Jadhav (NHGRI); Ganesha 
Rai (NHGRI); Anton Simeonov (NHGRI); Theodore Holman (University 
California Santa Cruz); Jerry Nadler (Eastern Virginia Medical School); 
Michael Holinstat (Thomas Jefferson University).
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/345,708 filled 
18 May 2010 (HHS Reference No. E-134-2010/0-US-01).
    Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Steven H. Standley, PhD 301-435-4074; 
[email protected].

Gene Expressed in Prostate Cancer and Methods of Use

    Description of Technology: Prostate cancer is the second leading 
cause of cancer-related deaths among males in the United States. There 
are approximately two hundred and fifteen thousand (215,000) newly 
diagnosed cases of prostate cancer and thirty thousand (30,000) 
prostate cancer-related deaths each year, underscoring the importance 
of addressing this deadly disease. Although there are diagnostic tests 
in place for identifying the potential for developing prostate cancer, 
even the most widely accepted diagnostic for detecting cancer 
(prostate-specific antigen or PSA) is capable of producing a false 
negative result. Furthermore, current treatments are invasive and may 
produce deleterious side-effects. Therefore, there is a clear need to 
identify and develop new and effective diagnostics and treatments for 
prostate cancer.
    This technology concerns the identification of a novel protein that 
is specifically expressed on prostate tissue: Novel Gene Expressed in 
Prostate (NGEP). Because of its selective expression on prostate 
tissue, NGEP represents a potential target in the fight against 
prostate cancer. Monoclonal antibodies that specifically recognize NGEP 
have been developed in conjunction with the identification of the 
protein. These antibodies can be used as both diagnostic agents and 
therapeutic agents.
    Applications:
     Antibodies to NGEP can be used as diagnostic agents to 
identify metastatic prostate tissue, either alone or in combination 
with other diagnostic antibodies
     Antibodies to NGEP can also be used therapeutically to 
specifically target cytotoxic agents to prostate cancer cells or to 
induce antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC)
     Antibodies to NGEP can be used as research reagents for 
identifying prostate tissue, including cancerous tissue
    Advantages:
     The selective expression of NGEP allows the specific 
detection and recognition of prostate tissue, which is useful in both 
diagnostic and therapeutic applications
     Combining the detection of NGEP with other prostate cancer 
diagnostic agents may reduce the incidence of a false negative 
diagnosis
     The use of NGEP antibodies in targeted therapy can 
decrease the non-specific killing of non-cancerous cells, thereby 
decreasing side-effects

[[Page 10378]]

associated with current prostate cancer therapies
    Development Status: Preclinical stage of development.
    Inventors: Pastan (NCI) et al.
    Patent Status:
     US Patent 7,816,087 (E-005-2002/0-US-03)--Issued
     US Patent Application 12/193,604 (E-005-2002/0-US-05)--
Allowed
     EP Patent Application 02795643.2 (E-005-2002/0-EP-04)--
Pending
    For more information, see:
     Das et al. ``Topology of NGEP, a prostate-specific 
cell:cell junction protein widely expressed in many cancers of 
different grade level.'' Cancer Res. 2008 Aug 1; 68(15):6306-12
     Das et al. ``NGEP, a prostate-specific plasma membrane 
protein that promotes the association of LNCaP cells.'' Cancer Res. 
2007 Feb 15; 67(4):1594-601
     Bera et al. ``NGEP, a gene encoding a membrane protein 
detected only in prostate cancer and normal prostate.'' Proc Natl Acad 
Sci U S A. 2004 Mar 2; 101(9):3059-64.
    Licensing Status: Available for licensing
    Licensing Contact: David A. Lambertson, PhD; 301-435-4632; 
[email protected].

Stem Cells That Transform To Beating Cardiomyocytes

    Description of Technology: Many people die each year of congestive 
heart failure occurring from a variety of causes including 
cardiomyopathy, myocardial ischemia, congenital heart disease and 
valvular heart disease resulting in cardiac cell death and myocardial 
dysfunction. When cardiomyocytes are not replaced in adult myocardial 
tissue, physiologic demands on existing, healthy cardiomyocytes can 
lead to hypertrophy. Heart transplants have been the only recourse for 
patients in end-stage heart disease however this is complicated by lack 
of donors, tissue incompatibility and high cost.
    An alternative approach to heart transplantation is to generate 
cardiomyocytes from stem cells in vitro that can be used in the 
treatment of cardiac diseases characterized by myocardial cell death or 
dysfunction.
    This invention discloses a novel isolated population of stem cells, 
called spoc cells, isolated from skeletal muscle, that can be induced, 
either in vivo or in vitro, to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. Spoc 
cells may be differentiated and utilized for screening agents that 
affect cardiomyocytes and as therapeutic agents in the treatment of 
cardiac MI.
    Potential Applications and Advantages: This invention is an 
alternative approach to heart transplantation which is typically 
complicated by lack of donors, tissue incompatibility and high cost.
    Inventors: Neal D. Epstein (NHLBI), et al.
    Related Publication: SO Winitsky, et al. Adult murine skeletal 
muscle contains cells that can differentiate into beating 
cardiomyocytes in vitro. PLoS Biol. 2005 Apr;3(4):e87, doi:10.1371/
journal.pbio.0030087. [PubMed: 15757365]
    Patent Status:
     Issued Australian Patent No. 2002337949 (HHS Ref. No. E-
329-2001/0-AU-03)
     Issued Japanese Patent No. 4377690 (HHS Ref. No. E-329-
2001/0-JP-04)
     Allowed Canadian Patent Appl. No. 2464088 (HHS Ref. No. E-
329-2001/0-CA-05)
    Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Fatima Sayyid, M.H.P.M.; 301-435-4521; 
[email protected].

    Dated: February 16, 2011.
Richard U. Rodriguez,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of 
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2011-4170 Filed 2-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P