[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 20, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 19855]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05880]


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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: Peter Tung at 240-669-5483 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unpublished information related to the invention.
    Licensing information and copies of the patent applications listed 
below 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 by 
contacting Peter Tung at 240-669-5483 or [email protected]. A signed 
Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be required to receive copies of 
unpublished patent applications related to the invention.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Technology description follows:

Enhanced Stability and Efficacy of Pfs48/45 Domain III Protein Variants 
for Malaria Vaccine Development Using SPEEDesign Technology

Description of Technology

    The technology includes modifying the Plasmodium falciparum Pfs48/
45 Domain III protein sequence to enhance its stability and efficacy to 
aid in malaria vaccine development. This approach successfully 
overcomes previous production challenges by increasing the 
thermostability of the antigen and eliminating the need for additional 
modifications that could impair vaccine effectiveness. Crucially, the 
technology maintains the essential neutralizing epitope of Pfs48/45, 
ensuring its effectiveness in preventing malaria transmission as a 
transmission-blocking vaccine. Developed using the SPEEDesign program, 
these novel protein variants show increased stability and a more robust 
transmission blocking response than wild-type proteins. The potential 
applications of this technology are providing a more stable and 
effective vaccine, potentially reducing the incidence of malaria and 
leading to improved health outcomes.
    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

     This malaria vaccine technology offers competitive 
advantages by providing increased thermostability and enhanced immune 
response without the need for efficacy-reducing modifications, 
potentially revolutionizing malaria prevention with more effective and 
stable vaccine options.

Competitive Advantages

     The development of more effective and stable malaria 
vaccines offers improved prevention strategies in regions affected by 
this disease and significantly contributing to global health 
initiatives.

Development Stage

Pre-Clinical
    Inventors: Niraj Tolia, Ph.D., Thayne Dickey, Ph.D., all of NIAID.

Publications

    Intellectual Property: HHS Reference No. E-030-2023-0-US-01, US 
Provisional Application No. 63/476,897, filed on December 22, 2022; HHS 
Reference No. E-030-2023-0-PC-01, PCT Application No. PCT/US2023/
085849, filed on December 22, 2023
    Licensing Contact: To license this technology, please contact Peter 
Tung at 240-669-5483 or [email protected], and reference E-030-2023.
    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 Peter Tung at 240-669-5483 or 
[email protected].

    Dated: March 14, 2024.
Surekha Vathyam,
Deputy Director, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Office, 
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
[FR Doc. 2024-05880 Filed 3-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P