[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 159 (Thursday, August 18, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50864-50865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17730]


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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unpublished information related to the invention.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:

SARS-CoV-2 Infection of Human Lung Epithelial Cells Triggers a Cell-
Mediated Acute Fibrin Fibrosis

Description of Technology

    Scientists at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 
(NIAID) have developed a method of treatment for virus-induced lung 
fibrosis using nebulized thrombin inhibitors. Since March 2020, the 
World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 564 million people have 
been infected with SARS-CoV-2 world-wide. Lung fibrosis is a major 
factor associated with SARS-CoV-2 infections and can contribute to 
mortality. Additionally, severe SARS-CoV-2 cases can result in long-
term pulmonary disease due to lung fibrosis. At present, attempts to 
treat lung fibrosis developed during a SARS-CoV-2 infection using 
intravenous heparin have been unsuccessful.
    NIAID scientists have discovered a previously unknown acute 
fibrosis mechanism mediated by SARS-CoV-2 infected primary lung 
epithelium, and have developed an innovative method of treating lung 
fibrosis using nebulized thrombin inhibitors.
    This technology is available for licensing for commercial 
development

[[Page 50865]]

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

 Innovative method of treatment for virus-induced lung fibrosis
 A multi-targeted approach could decrease lung-term symptoms 
associated with SARS-CoV-2

Competitive Advantages

 Addresses the pathology at the proper location instead of 
indiscriminately

Development Stage

 Pre-Clinical
    Inventors: Peter Sun and Rachel Erickson, all of NIAID.
    Intellectual Property: US Provisional Application 63/388,498 (HHS 
Reference No. E-157-2022-0-US-01) filed on 12 July 2022.
    Licensing Contact: To license this technology, please contact Dawn 
Taylor-Mulneix at 301-767-5189, or [email protected], and 
reference E-157-2022.
    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. For collaboration 
opportunities, please contact Dawn Taylor-Mulneix at 301-767-5189, or 
[email protected].

    Dated: August 12, 2022.
Surekha Vathyam,
Deputy Director, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Office, 
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
[FR Doc. 2022-17730 Filed 8-17-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P