[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26070-26071]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12017]


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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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Licensing information and copies of 
the patent applications listed below may be obtained by emailing the 
indicated licensing contact at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood, 
Office of Technology Transfer and Development, Office of Technology 
Transfer, 31 Center Drive, Room 4A29, MSC 2479, Bethesda, MD 20892-
2479; telephone: 301-402-5579. A signed Confidential Disclosure 
Agreement may be required to receive copies of the patent applications.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 
209 and 37 CFR part 404 to achieve 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. A description of the 
technology follows.

Octopod (8-Pointed Star) Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Enhance MRI T2 
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. Chinese Patent 
Application 201380077163.3 filed December 3, 2015.

[[Page 26071]]

European Patent 3003394 issued May 23, 2018 (validated in Switzerland, 
Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Ireland), U.S. Patent 
9,974,868 issued May 22, 2018.
    Licensing Contact: Michael A. Shmilovich; 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. 
For collaboration opportunities, please contact Cecilia Pazman, Ph.D. 
at [email protected].

    Dated: May 21, 2018.
Michael A. Shmilovich,
Senior Licensing and Patenting Manager, National Heart, Lung, and Blood 
Institute, Office of Technology Transfer and Development.
[FR Doc. 2018-12017 Filed 6-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4140-01-P