[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 43 (Monday, March 4, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 15599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04425]


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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: Brian Bailey, Ph.D., at 240-669-5128 
or 301-201-9217, or by email at [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will be required to receive copies of unpublished information related 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:

SARS-CoV-2 Pseudotyping Plasmids for Cutting-Edge Studies

Description of Technology

    NIAID scientists have developed plasmids that allow for production 
of pseudoviruses expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. As SARS-CoV-2 is 
a lethal airborne virus, it must be handled in high-containment 
Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories that require strict airflow, 
ventilation and decontamination procedures. The pseudotyping plasmids 
of this invention provide a secure platform for exploring SARS-CoV-2 
dynamics without the need for high-risk handling of live virus and 
ensure a controlled environment for scientists to study SARS-CoV-2 more 
expeditiously in standard Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratories. The 
plasmids can be used for diverse SARS-CoV-2 research applications, 
including the study of newly emerging or potential future variants of 
interest.
    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

     Research material that can be used in the development of 
neutralization assays

Competitive Advantages

     Expedite SARS-CoV-2 related experiments by enabling them 
to be conducted in laboratories with a lower Biosafety Level (BSL-2) 
than that required for handling SARS-CoV-2 (BSL-3)

Development Stage

     Research material.

Inventors

    Dr. Barney Graham, Dr. Lingshu Wang, Dr. John Mascola, Dr. 
Kizzmekia Corbett, all of NIAID.

Intellectual Property

    HHS Reference No. E-223-2020-0.

Licensing Contact

    To license this technology, please contact Brian Bailey, Ph.D.; 
240-669-5128 or 301-201-9217; [email protected], and reference E-
223-2020.

    Dated: February 14, 2024.
Surekha Vathyam,
Deputy Director, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Office, 
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
[FR Doc. 2024-04425 Filed 3-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P