[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 112 (Friday, June 10, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 35562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-12482]


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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 invention listed below is owned by an agency of the U.S. 
Government and is available for licensing 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: Dawn Taylor-Mulneix at 301-767-5189, 
or [email protected]. Licensing information may be obtained 
by communicating with the Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property 
Office, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), 
5601 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852; tel. 301-496-2644. A signed 
Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be required to receive copies of 
unpublished information related to the invention.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Technology description follows:

Human lgA Monoclonal Antibody That Targets a Conserved Site on the 
Plasmodium Falciparum Circumsporozoite Protein

Description of Technology

    Scientists at NIAID have isolated MAD2-6, an IgA antibody active 
against Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites, the infectious agent of 
malaria. In 2019, the majority of the 229 million cases resulted from 
P. falciparum infections. Because P. falciparum has a complex lifecycle 
during human infection, most advanced malaria vaccine candidates and 
current chemoprophylaxis drugs can confer only partial, short-term 
protection in malaria-endemic areas. Thus, the MAD2-6 antibody could be 
used alone or in combination with current technology.
    MAD2-6 binds to a unique epitope overlapping with region I, a 
functionally important region of the Plasmodium falciparum 
circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP). This binding site of PfCSP is a 
previously unknown target for protective antibodies, which may be 
useful as a new target. Monoclonal antibodies are promising tools for 
prevention of malaria and could replace or be combined with malaria 
chemoprevention in areas with seasonal malaria.
    This technology is available for licensing for commercial 
development in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR part 404, as 
well as for further development and evaluation under a research 
collaboration.

Potential Commercial Applications

     Alternate technologies are required to address drug 
resistance.
     A multi-targeted approach can combat all stages of the 
parasite lifecycle.
     Prophylactic treatment for neutralization of P. falciparum 
in normal or at-risk populations including pregnant women.

Competitive Advantages

     Antibodies can be effective as prophylactics, alone or in 
combination with other treatments.

Development Stage

     Pre-Clinical.
    Inventors: Joshua Tan Ph.D., Peter Crompton M.D., Robert Seder 
M.D., Hyeseon Cho Ph.D., all of NIAID.
    Publications: Tan, J., et al., ``Functional human IgA targets a 
conserved site on malaria sporozoites'', Science Translational 
Medicine, Vol. 13(599), 23 June 2021. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.abg2344.
    Intellectual Property: HHS Reference No. E-130-2020-0-PCT-02--PCT 
Application No. PCT/US2021/037571 filed on 6 June 2021.
    Licensing Contact: To license this technology, please contact Dawn 
Taylor-Mulneix at 301-767-5189, or [email protected], and 
reference E-130-2020.
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Institute of 
Allergy and Infectious Diseases 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 Dawn Taylor-Mulneix at 301-767-5189, or 
[email protected].

    Dated: June 3, 2022.
Surekha Vathyam,
Deputy Director, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Office, 
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
[FR Doc. 2022-12482 Filed 6-9-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P