[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 112 (Friday, June 10, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 35559]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-12485]


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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, 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unpublished information related to the invention.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 Monoclonal Antibodies That Broadly Target Coronaviruses

Description of Technology

    The family of coronaviruses cause upper respiratory tract disease 
in humans and have caused three major disease outbreaks in recent 
history: the 2003 SARS outbreak, the 2012 MERS outbreak, and the 
current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. There is an urgent need for strategies 
that broadly target coronaviruses, both to deal with new SARS-CoV-2 
variants and future coronavirus outbreaks.
    Scientists at NIAID have developed several novel human monoclonal 
antibodies that bind to conserved parts of the SARS-CoV-2 spike 
protein. These antibodies can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern 
including Omicron BA.1 and BA.2, as well as neutralize at least one 
other betacoronavirus. Further, these antibodies limit disease in 
animal models. Broadly reactive antibodies against coronaviruses are 
useful tools to identify conserved sites on the coronavirus spike 
protein, which could be investigated for the development of broad 
coronavirus vaccines that aim to prevent future pandemics. Potent 
neutralizers that target these sites could also be useful for 
prevention of disease caused by diverse coronaviruses, including those 
that may emerge in the future.
    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

     Prophylactic usage against SARS-CoV-2 and/or other 
betacoronaviruses in normal or high-risk populations.
     Therapeutic treatment, alone or in combination, in 
patients with SARS-CoV-2 and/or other betacoronaviruses infections.
     Assay development for surveillance, diagnostic, and 
prevention measures.

Competitive Advantages

     Antibodies can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants, including 
Omicron BA.1 and BA.2.
     Antibodies can broadly target and neutralize 
betacoronaviruses.

Development Stage

     Pre-Clinical.
    Inventors: Joshua Tan, Ph.D., Cherrelle Dacon, Ph.D., both of 
NIAID.
    Publications: Dacon, C., et al. ``Broadly neutralizing antibodies 
target the coronavirus fusion peptide'' bioRxiv 2022.04.11.48789. Doi: 
https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.04.11.48789 (This article is a preprint 
and has not been certified by peer review)
    Intellectual Property: HHS Reference No. E-047-2022-0-EIR-00 U.S. 
Patent Application No. 63/308,898, filed on February 10, 2022.
    Licensing Contact: To license this technology, please contact Dawn 
Taylor-Mulneix at 301-767-5189, or [email protected], and 
reference E-047-2022.
    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. Areas of specific 
interest include (a) testing developability of these antibodies (e.g., 
biophysical characteristics, cross-reactivity, pharmacokinetics, 
toxicity), (b) pre-clinical model assessment, and (c) human clinical 
trials. 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. 2022-12485 Filed 6-9-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P