[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 241 (Tuesday, December 16, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74731-74733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29319]


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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, 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. 209 and 37 CFR part 404 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Technology descriptions follow.

Microscopy System for Distinguishing Stimulated Emissions as a Means of 
Increasing Signal

    Description of Technology: The invention pertains to a system and 
method for distinguishing stimulated emissions as a means of enhancing 
signal strength of fluorescent markers in fluorescence microscopy 
applications. The system is arranged such that an excitation beam 
(e.g., laser beam) illuminates a sample along some axis exciting the 
fluorescent markers used in the sample. A second light beam, a 
stimulation beam, illuminates the sample along another axis, possibly 
the same as that of the excitation beam. It has been found that if the 
excited fluorescent molecules are illuminated with light of a 
stimulation beam at a

[[Page 74732]]

particular wavelength after initial excitation, the fluorescent 
molecules will emit light at this wavelength that can be separately 
detected. An excited fluorescent molecule may be stimulated by light at 
a wavelength different from the initial excitation beam to boost the 
signal. The stimulated emission then generated by the fluorescent 
molecules travels along the same access as the stimulation beam and, as 
such, the system is configured by a stimulation beam block component 
associated with an objective lens that prevents or reduces stimulation 
beam detection but allows detection of the stimulated emission. Another 
way the invention achieves this is by refocusing both the excitation 
and stimulation beams through capture by an excitation objective. A 
filter is then used to filter out light focused by the excitation 
objective from the simulated emission sent back by the fluorescent 
molecule.
    Potential Commercial Applications:
     Fluorescent microscopy
     Sample detection
    Competitive Advantages: Enhanced signal strength in small or dilute 
samples.
    Development Stage:
     Early-stage
     Prototype
    Inventors: Andrew York (NIBIB), Sanjay Varma (Johns Hopkins 
University).
    Intellectual Property: HHS Reference No. E-247-2014/0--U.S. 
Provisional Patent Application 62/072,218 filed October 29, 2014.
    Licensing Contact: Michael Shmilovich; 301-435-5019; 
[email protected].
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Institute of 
Biological Imaging and Bioengineering is seeking statements of 
capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative 
research to further develop, evaluate or commercialize Fluorescent 
Microscopy resolution enhancement. For collaboration opportunities, 
please contact Cecilia Pazman at [email protected].

A Novel Virus-Based Expression System

    Description of Technology: The present invention is related to a 
recombinant viral vector for vaccines.
    Currently available poxvirus vectors for humans and other animals 
exhibit suboptimal expression of recombinant gene(s) and high 
expression of vector proteins which causes weak immunogenicity and high 
anti-vector immune response.
    The present novel virus-based expression vectors are non-
replicating in human and animals, have high expression of exogenous 
genes to achieve strong immunogenicity, demonstrate low expression of 
vector proteins to minimize anti-vector immune responses and minimize 
competition with expression of recombinant proteins and are capable of 
stable propagation in a continuous cell line. The present virus based 
expression vectors may be suitable for manufacturing vaccines for 
inducing an immune response in vaccinated individuals.
    Potential Commercial Applications:
     Vaccine
     Tool for studying immune responses
    Competitive Advantages:
     Non-replicating in human and animals
     Achieve high expression of recombinant genes
     Low expression of vector genes
     Stable propagation in a continuous cell line
    Development Stage:
     Early-stage
     In vitro data available
     Prototype
    Intellectual Property: HHS Reference No. E-181-2014/0--U.S. 
Provisional Application No. 62/055,989 filed September 26, 2014.
    Related Technologies:
     Moss B, et al. Recombinant poxviruses having foreign DNA 
expressed under the control of poxvirus regulatory sequences. U.S. 
Patent 6,998,252 issued February 14, 2006.
     Moss B, et al. Prokaryotic expression in eukaryotic cells. 
U.S. Patent 5,550,035 issued August 27, 1996.
    Licensing Contact: John Stansberry, Ph.D.; 301-435-5236; 
[email protected].
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Institute of 
Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, is 
seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in 
collaborative research to further develop, evaluate or commercialize A 
Novel Virus-Based Expression System. For collaboration opportunities, 
please contact Chris Kornak at [email protected].

Ultra-Sensitive Diagnostic Detects fg/mL-pg/mL Pathogen/Disease Protein 
by Visual Color Change

    Description of Technology: This technology is an ultra-sensitive 
colorimetric assay, based on an enzyme-catalyzed gold nanoparticle 
growth process, for detection of disease-associated proteins 
(biomarkers) and disease diagnosis. Current detection methods, such as 
ELISA immunoassays, measure concentrations above 0.1 ng/mL in a sample. 
PCR, although more sensitive than ELISA, requires expensive and 
specialized equipment and reagents, skilled labor, and complex analysis 
techniques. This assay detects fg/mL to pg/mL concentrations, allowing 
detection and diagnosis in the earliest stage of disease or infection. 
A simple to read colorless-to-red change of gold nanoparticle is read 
with the naked eye, without the need for advanced instruments. This 
assay can be performed in a standard ELISA plate. Prototype, proof of 
concept tests using this platform have been designed for enterovirus 71 
(EV71) and prostate specific antigen (PSA). The limit of detection 
(LOD) for a PSA prototype exceeded the commercial ELISA by more than 
four orders of magnitude. This assay may be particularly well suited 
for field use/point-of-care detection of infections and early stage 
disease.
    Potential Commercial Applications: Infectious pathogen and disease 
diagnostics.
    Competitive Advantages:
     Orders of magnitude more sensitive than most ELISA 
(detects fg/mL to pg/mL)
     Plain sight color-based confirmation does not require 
complex equipment
     Field use/point-of-care detection
    Development Stage:
     Early-stage
     In vitro data available
     Prototype
    Inventors: Dingbin Liu and Xiaoyuan Chen (NIBIB)
    Publication: Liu D, et al. Glucose oxidase-catalyzed growth of gold 
nanoparticles enables quantitative detection of attomolar cancer 
biomarkers. Anal Chem. 2014 Jun 17; 86(12):5800-6. [PMID 24896231]
    Intellectual Property:
     HHS Reference No. E-167-2014/0--U.S. Provisional 
Application No. 61/994,622 filed May 16, 2014
     HHS Reference No. E-167-2014/1--U.S. Provisional 
Application No. 62/052,866 filed September 19, 2014
    Licensing Contact: Edward (Tedd) Fenn; 424-297-0336; 
[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. 
For collaboration opportunities, please contact Cecilia Pazman, Ph.D. 
at [email protected].

[[Page 74733]]

Cannabinoid Receptor Meditating Compounds for Metabolic Disease

    Description of Technology: There is evidence that the metabolic 
effects of endocannabinoids are mediated by CB1 receptors in peripheral 
tissues. While prior attempts at generating CB1 receptor blockers have 
had serious neuropsychiatric side effects, inventors at NIH have 
discovered compounds that block CB1 receptors with reduced brain 
penetrance. In addition, some of these compounds also have a direct 
inhibitory effect on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), whereas 
another group of the compounds directly activates AMP kinas. These 
dual-target compounds may be useful for treating metabolic disease and 
related conditions such as obesity and diabetes and their 
complications, including liver or kidney fibrosis, without the 
dangerous the side effects.
    Potential Commercial Applications: Treatment of metabolic disease 
and related conditions such as diabetes, obesity and fibrotic disease.
    Competitive Advantages: Cannabinoid receptor blockers with reduced 
brain penetrance relative to older drugs of this class, also having 
secondary target for improved therapeutic efficacy.
    Development Stage: Early-stage.
    Inventors: George Kunos (NIAAA), Malliga R. Iyer (NIAAA), Resat 
Cinar (NIAAA), Kenner C. Rice (NIDA).
    Intellectual Property: HHS Reference No. E-140-2014/0--U.S. 
Provisional Application No. 61/991,333 filed May 9, 2014.
    Related Technologies:
     HHS Reference No. E-211-2006/0--U.S. Patent No. 8,293,724 
issued October 23, 2012
     HHS Reference No. E-282-2012/0--PCT Application No. PCT/
US2013069686 filed December 11, 2013
     HHS Reference No. E-103-2013/0--PCT Application No. PCT/
US2014/043924 filed June 24, 2014
    Licensing Contact: Jaime M. Greene; 301-435-5559; 
[email protected].

Octopod (8-Pointed Star-Shape) Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Enhance MRI 
T[bdi2] Contrast

    Description of Technology: The octopod-shaped iron oxide 
nanoparticles of this technology significantly enhance contrast in MRI 
imaging compared to spherical superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle 
T2 contrast agents. These octopod iron oxide nanoparticles 
show a transverse relaxivity that is over five times greater than 
comparable spherical agents. Because the unique octopod shape creates a 
greater effective radius than spherical agents, but maintains similar 
magnetization properties, the relaxation rate is improved. The improved 
relaxation rate greatly enhances the contrast of images. These octopod 
agents appear to be bio-compatible and may be suitable for intravenous 
delivery. The synthesis of these agents is also easily reproducible and 
scaled. The superior contrast greatly improves diagnostic 
sensitivities, compared to current FDA approved spherical contrast 
agents. These octopod-shaped iron oxide nanoparticle T2 
contrast agents may have a number of medical imaging uses, such as 
tumor detection, atherosclerosis imaging and delivery of therapeutic 
treatments.
    Potential Commercial Applications: Medical imaging, such as tumor 
detection, atherosclerosis imaging and delivery of therapeutic 
treatments.
    Competitive Advantages:
     Enhanced T2 contrast
     Reproducible and scalable synthesis
     Improved imaging and diagnostic capability
    Development Stage: In vivo data available (animal).
    Inventors: Xiaoyuan Chen (NIBIB), Jinhao Gao (Xiamen University, 
China), Zhenghuan Zhao (Xiamen University, China).
    Publication: Zhao Z, et al. Octapod iron oxide nanoparticles as 
high-performance T2 contrast agents for magnetic resonance 
imaging. Nat Commun. 2013; 4:2266. [PMID 23903002].
    Intellectual Property: HHS Reference No. E-314-2013/0--PCT 
Application No. PCT/CN2013/076645 filed June 3, 2013.
    Licensing Contact: Edward (Tedd) Fenn; 424-297-0336; 
[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. 
For collaboration opportunities, please contact Cecilia Pazman, Ph.D. 
at [email protected].

    Dated: December 9, 2014.
Richard U. Rodriguez,
Acting Director, Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of 
Health.
[FR Doc. 2014-29319 Filed 12-15-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P