Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing, 34022-34024 [E7-11830]

Download as PDF 34022 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Notices aimed at developing control strategies such as vaccines and therapeutic drugs. Inventors: Gael M. Belliot, Kim Y. Green, Stanislav V. Sosnovtsev (NIAID) Patent Status: HHS Reference No. E– 212–2003/0—Research Material Licensing Status: The cDNA clone for norovirus strain MD145–12 is available for licensing via a biological material license (BML). Licensing Contact: Peter A. Soukas, J.D.; 301/435–4646; soukasp@mail.nih.gov. Collaborative Research Opportunity: The Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, NIAID, NIH, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize reagents derived from a cDNA clone of the genome of a predominant human norovirus strain, Genogroup II.4. Please contact Kim Y. Green at kgreen@niaid.nih.gov for more information. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES Construction of an Infectious FullLength cDNA Clone of the Porcine Enteric Calicivirus RNA Genome Description of Technology: Porcine enteric calicivirus (PEC) is a member of the genus Sapovirus in the family Caliciviridae. This virus causes diarrheal illness in pigs. In addition, PEC serves as an important model for the study of enteric caliciviruses that cause diarrhea and that cannot be grown in cell culture (including the noroviruses represented by Norwalk virus and the sapoviruses represented by Sapporo virus). The development of an infectious cDNA clone is important because it enables the use of ‘‘reverse genetics’’ to engineer mutations of interest into the genome of PEC and to study their effects. In addition, it allows the introduction of foreign coding sequences into the genome of PEC that could be useful for vaccine development in swine and possibly humans. This discovery has both basic research applications such as mapping mutations involved in tissue culture adaptation, tissue tropism, and virulence as well as practical applications such as providing a genetic backbone for the development of chimeric vaccine viruses. Inventors: Kyeong-Ok Chang (NIAID), Stanislav V. Sosnovtsev (NIAID), Gael M. Belliot (NIAID), Kim Y. Green (NIAID), et al. Publication: The materials are further described in KO Chang et al., ‘‘Cellculture propagation of porcine enteric calicivirus mediated by intestinal contents is dependent on the cyclic AMP signaling pathway,’’ Virology. 2002 Dec 20;304(2):302–310. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:25 Jun 19, 2007 Jkt 211001 Patent Status: HHS Reference No. E– 214–2003/0—Research Material. Licensing Status: The materials embodied in this invention are available nonexclusively through a biological materials license. Licensing Contact: Peter A. Soukas, J.D.; 301/435–4646; soukasp@mail.nih.gov Collaborative Research Opportunity: The Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, NIAID, NIH, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize reagents derived from an infectious cDNA copy of the genome of porcine enteric calicivirus. Please contact Kim Y. Green at kgreen@niaid.nih.gov for more information. Enzymatically-Active RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase From a Human Norovirus (Calicivirus) Description of Technology: The noroviruses (formerly known as ‘‘Norwalk-like viruses’’) are associated with gastroenteritis outbreaks, affecting large numbers of individuals each year. Emerging data are supporting their increasing recognition as important agents of diarrhea-related morbidity and mortality. The frequency with which noroviruses are associated with gastroenteritis as ‘‘food and water-borne pathogens’’ has led to the inclusion of caliciviruses as Category B Bioterrorism Agents/Diseases. Because the noroviruses cannot be propagated by any means in the laboratory, an important strategy in their study is the development of molecular biology-based tools and replication systems. This invention reports the isolation of the first recombinant, enzymatically-active proteinase and RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) complex for a human norovirus. This enzyme should facilitate studies aimed at developing therapeutic drugs for norovirus disease. Inventors: Gael M. Belliot, Stanislav V. Sosnovtsev, Kyeong-Ok Chang, Kim Y. Green (NIAID). Publication: The materials are further described in L Wei et al., ‘‘Proteinasepolymerase precursor as the active form of feline calicivirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase,’’ J. Virol. 2001 Feb;75(3):1211–1219. Patent Status: HHS Reference No. E– 283–2003/0—Research Material. Licensing Status: The materials embodied in this invention are available nonexclusively through a biological materials license. Licensing Contact: Peter A. Soukas, J.D.; 301/435–4646; soukasp@mail.nih.gov. PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Collaborative Research Opportunity: The Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, NIAID, NIH, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize an active human norovirus proteinase-polymerase enzyme. Please contact Kim Y. Green at kgreen@niaid.nih.gov for more information. Dated: June 8, 2007. Steven M. Ferguson, Director,Division of Technology Development and Transfer,Office of Technology Transfer,National Institutes of Health. [FR Doc. E7–11826 Filed 6–19–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, HHS. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The inventions listed below are owned by an agency of the U.S. Government and are available for licensing in the U.S. in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 207 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. ADDRESSES: Licensing information and copies of the U.S. patent applications listed below may be obtained by writing to the indicated licensing contact at the Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325, Rockville, Maryland 20852–3804; telephone: 301/ 496–7057; fax: 301/402–0220. A signed Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be required to receive copies of the patent applications. Methods for Prevention and Treatment of Polyomavirus Infection or Reactivation Description of Technology: Available for licensing and commercial development are methods of using two MAP kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors, PD98059 and U0126, in the prevention and treatment of polyomavirus infection. Decrease in viral protein expression upon treatment with the MEK inhibitors has been demonstrated E:\FR\FM\20JNN1.SGM 20JNN1 rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Notices for two polyomavirus species, JC virus (JCV) and BK virus (BKV). It is believed that these MEK inhibitors may also be effective against other polyomavirus species in which TGF-b expression is elevated. JCV is responsible for the demyelination of the central nervous system which is observed in cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is most frequently seen in patients with HIV/AIDS, but is also a contributing factor in fatalities in patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and connective tissue diseases, in addition to individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune disorders or prevention of transplant rejection. BKV is associated with deadly clinical syndromes such as viruria and viremia, utreteral ulceration and stenosis, and hemorrhagic cystitis. BKV also causes polyomavirus-associated nephrophathy in 1–10% of all renal transplant recipients. Currently, no effective antiviral agents are available to treat these opportunistic infections. In all observed cases, activation of either JCV and BKV in immunosuppressed patients has resulted in fatality. Applications: Treatment and prevention of polyomavirus infection in immunocompromised patients. Development Status: In vitro data is currently available and inventors are actively developing the technology. Inventors: Veersamy Ravichandran and Eugene Major (NINDS). Publication: V Ravichandran, PN Jensen, EO Major. MEK1/2 inhibitors block basal and TGF-b1 stimulated JC virus multiplication. J Virol. 2007 Apr 4; Epub ahead of print, doi:10.1128/ JVI.02658–06. Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/908,950 filed 29 Mar 2007 (HHS Reference No. E–101–2007/ 0–US–01). Licensing Status: Available for licensing. Licensing Contact: Cristina Thalhammer-Reyero, Ph.D., M.B.A.; 301/435–4507; thalhamc@mail.nih.gov. Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize treatment and prevention of polyomavirus infections in immunocompromised patients. Please contact Melissa Maderia, Ph.D. at maderiam@mail.nih.gov for more information. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:25 Jun 19, 2007 Jkt 211001 Monoclonal Antibodies That Bind or Neutralize Hepatitis B Virus Description of Technology: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronically infects over 300 million people worldwide. Many of them will die of chronic hepatitis or hepatocellular carcinoma. The present technology relates to the isolation and characterization of a novel neutralizing chimpanzee monoclonal antibody to HBV. The antibody was identified through a combinatorial antibody library constructed from bone marrow cells of a chimpanzee experimentally infected with HBV. The selected monoclonal antibody has been shown to react equally well with wild-type HBV and the most common neutralization escape mutant variants. Therefore, this monoclonal antibody with high affinity and broad reactivity may have distinct advantages over other approaches to immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy of chronic HBV infection, as most of the monoclonal antibodies currently in use are not sufficiently and broadly reactive to prevent the emergence of neutralization escape mutants of HBV. This technology describes such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining hepatitis B virus-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining hepatitis B virus-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. This invention further describes isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies and host cells transformed with nucleic acids. In addition, this invention provides methods of employing these antibodies and nucleic acids in the in vitro and in vivo diagnosis, prevention and therapy of HBV diseases. Inventors: Suzanne U. Emerson (NIAID), Robert H. Purcell (NIAID), et al. Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/644,309 filed 14 Jan 2005 (HHS Reference No. E–144–2004/ 0–US–01); PCT Application No. PCT/ US2006/001336 filed 13 Jan 2006, which published as WO 2006/076640 on 20 Jul 2006 (HHS Reference No. E– 144–2004/0–PCT–02) Licensing Contact: Chekesha S. Clingman, Ph.D.; 301/435–5018; clingmac@mail.nih.gov. Endotracheal Tube Using Unique Leak Hole To Lower Dead Space Description of Technology: Through injury or diseases, human or animal lungs may become too weak to sustain a sufficient flow of oxygen to the body and to remove adequate amounts of expired carbon dioxide. The present invention is a tracheal tube ventilation PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 34023 apparatus which efficiently rids patients of expired gases and promotes healthier breathing. This is accomplished by creating one or more leak holes in the wall of the endotracheal tube above the larynx, such as in the back of the mouth (i.e., oropharynx), so that expired gases can leak out of the endotracheal tube. The described apparatus is a two stage tube where the first stage has a smaller diameter such that it fits within the confined area of the lower trachea and the second stage has a larger diameter, which fits properly within the larger diameter of the patient’s pharynx. The endotracheal tube is preferably wire reinforced and ultra-thin walled so as to reduce airway resistance. The invention substantially reduces endotracheal dead space and is expected to benefit those patients with both early and late stage acute respiratory failure, and reduce or obviate the need for mechanical pulmonary ventilation in many patients. Applications: Tracheal tube ventilation; Efficiently rid patient of expired gases and thereby promote healthier breathing. Development Status: System is well developed and operational. Inventor: Theodor Kolobow (NHLBI). Patent Status: U.S. Patent No. 7,107,991 issued 19 Sep 2006 (HHS Reference No. E–269–2001/0–US–01); PCT Application No. PCT/US02/29319 filed 16 Sep 2002 (HHS Reference No. E–269–2001/0–PCT–02); Canadian National Stage Filing, Application No. 2463538, filed 16 Sep 2002 (HHS Reference No. E–269–2001/0–CA–03); European National Stage Filing, Application No. 02773398.9, filed 28 Mar 2004 (HHS Reference No. E–269– 2001/0–EP–04). Licensing Status: Available for nonexclusive or exclusive licensing. Licensing Contact: Michael A. Shmilovich, Esq.; 301/435–5019; shmilovm@mail.nih.gov. Collaborative Research Opportunity: The NHLBI/Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine Branch (PCCMB) is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize innovative endotracheal tube technology. Please contact Marianne Lynch at 301–594–4094 or lynchm@nhlbi.nih.gov for more information. Increased Protein Expression Vector for Vaccine Applications Description of Technology: An expression vector with a unique promoter that results in higher level of protein expression than vectors currently in use is available for licensing from the NIH. The elevated E:\FR\FM\20JNN1.SGM 20JNN1 34024 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Notices levels of expression are achieved through use of a specific promoter, known as CMV/R, in which the Human T-Lymphotrophic Virus (HTLV–1) Long Terminal Repeat (LTR) R–U5 region is substituted for a portion of the intron downstream of the CMV immediate early region 1 enhancer (Barouch et al., 2005). Sequences of 95% or better homology to CMV/R can be used as well. CMV/R vectors are currently being used in a number of clinical trials, including vaccines against West Nile Virus, Ebola virus, and HIV and achieving promising results. The related HIV vaccine technology is available for licensing, as is the Ebola DNA vaccine technology (non-exclusive licensing only). The CMV/R vector can be used for any DNA vaccine or for the production of recombinant proteins in high yields. Applications: Vector for DNA vaccines; High yield expression of recombinant proteins. Inventors: Gary Nabel and Zhi-yong Yang (NIAID). Patent Status: U.S. Patent No. 7,094,598 issued 22 Aug 2006 [HHS Reference No. E–241–2001/1–US–01 (CMV/R)], applications pending in EP, JP, CA, and AU; U.S. Patent Application No. 10/491,121 filed 23 Aug 2004 [HHS Reference No. E–241–2001/0–US–07 (Ebola DNA vaccine)], applications pending in EP, JP, CA, and AU; U.S. Patent Application No. 11/632,522 filed 16 Jan 2007 [HHS Reference No. E–267– 2004/1–US–08 (HIV DNA vaccine)]. Licensing Status: Available for nonexclusive licensing. Licensing Contact: Susan Ano, Ph.D.; 301/435–5515; anos@mail.nih.gov. Dated: June 11, 2007. Steven M. Ferguson, Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health. [FR Doc. E7–11830 Filed 6–19–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, HHS. ACTION: Notice. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The inventions listed below are owned by an agency of the U.S. Government and are available for licensing in the U.S. in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 207 to achieve expeditious VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:25 Jun 19, 2007 Jkt 211001 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. ADDRESSES: Licensing information and copies of the U.S. patent applications listed below may be obtained by writing to the indicated licensing contact at the Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325, Rockville, Maryland 20852–3804; telephone: 301/ 496–7057; fax: 301/402–0220. A signed Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be required to receive copies of the patent applications. Vibrio Cholerae O139 Conjugate Vaccines Description of Technology: Cholera remains an important public health problem. Epidemic cholera is caused by two Vibrio cholerae serotypes O1 and O139. The disease is spread through contaminated water. According to information reported to the World Health Organization in 1999, nearly 8,500 people died and another 223,000 were sickened with cholera worldwide. This invention is a polysaccharideprotein conjugate vaccine to prevent and treat infection by Vibrio cholerae O139 comprising the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of V. cholerae O139 conjugated through a dicarboxylic acid dihydrazide linker to a mutant diphtheria toxin carrier. In addition to the conjugation methods, also claimed in the invention are methods of immunization against V. cholerae O139 using the conjugates of the invention. The inventors have shown that the conjugates of the invention elicited in mice high levels of serum antibodies to CPS, a surface antigen of Vibrio cholerae O139, that have vibriocidal activity. Clinical trials of the two most immunogenic conjugates have been planned by the inventors. The conjugate vaccine is aimed for long lasting immunity, especially in young children, and can be administered in concurrent with routine vaccines. Inventors: Shousun Szu, Zuzana Kossaczka, John Robbins (NICHD). Related Publication: Z Kossaczka et al. Vibrio cholerae O139 conjugate vaccines: synthesis and immunogenicity of V. cholerae O139 capsular polysaccharide conjugates with recombinant diphtheria toxin mutant in mice. Infect Immun. 2000 Sep;68(9):5037–5043. Patent Status: PCT Application No. PCT/US00/24119 filed 01 Sep 2000, which published as PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 WO 02/20059 on 14 Mar 2002 (HHS Reference No. E–274–2000/0–PCT– 01) U.S. Patent Application No. 10/363,618 filed 01 Sep 2000 (HHS Reference No. E–274–2000/0–US–02) U.S. Patent Application No. 11/695,735 filed 03 Apr 2007 (HHS Reference No. E–274–2000/0–US–03) Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing. Licensing Contact: Peter A. Soukas, J.D.; 301/435–4646; soukasp@mail.nih.gov Collaborative Research Opportunity: The NICHD/LDMI is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize Vibrio cholera O139 or O1 conjugate vaccines. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301–435–3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information. CC Chemokine Receptor 5 DNA, New Animal Models and Therapeutic Agents for HIV Infection Description of Technology: Chemokine receptors are expressed by many cells, including lymphoid cells, and function to mediate cell trafficking and localization. CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is a seven-transmembrane, G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) which regulates trafficking and effector functions of memory/effector Tlymphocytes, macrophages, and immature dendritic cells. Chemokine binding to CCR5 leads to cellular activation through pertussis toxinsensitive heterotrimeric G proteins as well as G protein-independent signalling pathways. Like many other GPCRs, CCR5 is regulated by agonistdependent processes which involve G protein coupled receptor kinase (GRK)dependent phosphorylation, betaarrestin-mediated desensitization and internalization. Human CCR5 also functions as the main coreceptor for the fusion and entry of many strains of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV–1, HIV– 2). HIV–1 transmission almost invariably involves such CCR5-specific variants (designated R5); individuals lacking functional CCR5 (by virtue of homozygosity for a defective CCR5 allele) are almost completely resistant to HIV–1 infection. Specific blocking of CCR5 (e.g. with chemokine ligands, anti-CCR5 antibodies, CCR5-blocking low MW inhibitors, etc.) inhibits entry/ infection of target cells by R5 HIV strains. Cells expressing CCR5 and CD4 are useful for screening for agents that inhibit HIV by binding to CCR5. Such agents represent potential new E:\FR\FM\20JNN1.SGM 20JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 20, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34022-34024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11830]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing

AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The inventions listed below are owned by an agency of the U.S. 
Government and are available for licensing in the U.S. in accordance 
with 35 U.S.C. 207 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.

ADDRESSES: Licensing information and copies of the U.S. patent 
applications listed below may be obtained by writing to the indicated 
licensing contact at the Office of Technology Transfer, National 
Institutes of Health, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325, Rockville, 
Maryland 20852-3804; telephone: 301/496-7057; fax: 301/402-0220. A 
signed Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be required to receive 
copies of the patent applications.

Methods for Prevention and Treatment of Polyomavirus Infection or 
Reactivation

    Description of Technology: Available for licensing and commercial 
development are methods of using two MAP kinase kinase (MEK) 
inhibitors, PD98059 and U0126, in the prevention and treatment of 
polyomavirus infection. Decrease in viral protein expression upon 
treatment with the MEK inhibitors has been demonstrated

[[Page 34023]]

for two polyomavirus species, JC virus (JCV) and BK virus (BKV). It is 
believed that these MEK inhibitors may also be effective against other 
polyomavirus species in which TGF-[beta] expression is elevated.
    JCV is responsible for the demyelination of the central nervous 
system which is observed in cases of progressive multifocal 
leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is most frequently seen in patients with 
HIV/AIDS, but is also a contributing factor in fatalities in patients 
with leukemia, lymphoma, and connective tissue diseases, in addition to 
individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune 
disorders or prevention of transplant rejection.
    BKV is associated with deadly clinical syndromes such as viruria 
and viremia, utreteral ulceration and stenosis, and hemorrhagic 
cystitis. BKV also causes polyomavirus-associated nephrophathy in 1-10% 
of all renal transplant recipients.
    Currently, no effective antiviral agents are available to treat 
these opportunistic infections. In all observed cases, activation of 
either JCV and BKV in immunosuppressed patients has resulted in 
fatality.
    Applications: Treatment and prevention of polyomavirus infection in 
immunocompromised patients.
    Development Status: In vitro data is currently available and 
inventors are actively developing the technology.
    Inventors: Veersamy Ravichandran and Eugene Major (NINDS).
    Publication: V Ravichandran, PN Jensen, EO Major. MEK1/2 inhibitors 
block basal and TGF-[beta]1 stimulated JC virus 
multiplication. J Virol. 2007 Apr 4; Epub ahead of print, doi:10.1128/
JVI.02658-06.
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/908,950 filed 29 
Mar 2007 (HHS Reference No. E-101-2007/0-US-01).
    Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Cristina Thalhammer-Reyero, Ph.D., M.B.A.; 301/
435-4507; thalhamc@mail.nih.gov.
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Institute of 
Neurological Disorders and Stroke is seeking statements of capability 
or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to 
further develop, evaluate, or commercialize treatment and prevention of 
polyomavirus infections in immunocompromised patients. Please contact 
Melissa Maderia, Ph.D. at maderiam@mail.nih.gov for more information.

Monoclonal Antibodies That Bind or Neutralize Hepatitis B Virus

    Description of Technology: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronically 
infects over 300 million people worldwide. Many of them will die of 
chronic hepatitis or hepatocellular carcinoma. The present technology 
relates to the isolation and characterization of a novel neutralizing 
chimpanzee monoclonal antibody to HBV. The antibody was identified 
through a combinatorial antibody library constructed from bone marrow 
cells of a chimpanzee experimentally infected with HBV. The selected 
monoclonal antibody has been shown to react equally well with wild-type 
HBV and the most common neutralization escape mutant variants. 
Therefore, this monoclonal antibody with high affinity and broad 
reactivity may have distinct advantages over other approaches to 
immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy of chronic HBV infection, as most 
of the monoclonal antibodies currently in use are not sufficiently and 
broadly reactive to prevent the emergence of neutralization escape 
mutants of HBV. This technology describes such antibodies, fragments of 
such antibodies retaining hepatitis B virus-binding ability, fully 
human or humanized antibodies retaining hepatitis B virus-binding 
ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. 
This invention further describes isolated nucleic acids encoding the 
antibodies and host cells transformed with nucleic acids. In addition, 
this invention provides methods of employing these antibodies and 
nucleic acids in the in vitro and in vivo diagnosis, prevention and 
therapy of HBV diseases.
    Inventors: Suzanne U. Emerson (NIAID), Robert H. Purcell (NIAID), 
et al.
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/644,309 filed 14 
Jan 2005 (HHS Reference No. E-144-2004/0-US-01); PCT Application No. 
PCT/US2006/001336 filed 13 Jan 2006, which published as WO 2006/076640 
on 20 Jul 2006 (HHS Reference No. E-144-2004/0-PCT-02)
    Licensing Contact: Chekesha S. Clingman, Ph.D.; 301/435-5018; 
clingmac@mail.nih.gov.

Endotracheal Tube Using Unique Leak Hole To Lower Dead Space

    Description of Technology: Through injury or diseases, human or 
animal lungs may become too weak to sustain a sufficient flow of oxygen 
to the body and to remove adequate amounts of expired carbon dioxide. 
The present invention is a tracheal tube ventilation apparatus which 
efficiently rids patients of expired gases and promotes healthier 
breathing. This is accomplished by creating one or more leak holes in 
the wall of the endotracheal tube above the larynx, such as in the back 
of the mouth (i.e., oropharynx), so that expired gases can leak out of 
the endotracheal tube. The described apparatus is a two stage tube 
where the first stage has a smaller diameter such that it fits within 
the confined area of the lower trachea and the second stage has a 
larger diameter, which fits properly within the larger diameter of the 
patient's pharynx. The endotracheal tube is preferably wire reinforced 
and ultra-thin walled so as to reduce airway resistance. The invention 
substantially reduces endotracheal dead space and is expected to 
benefit those patients with both early and late stage acute respiratory 
failure, and reduce or obviate the need for mechanical pulmonary 
ventilation in many patients.
    Applications: Tracheal tube ventilation; Efficiently rid patient of 
expired gases and thereby promote healthier breathing.
    Development Status: System is well developed and operational.
    Inventor: Theodor Kolobow (NHLBI).
    Patent Status: U.S. Patent No. 7,107,991 issued 19 Sep 2006 (HHS 
Reference No. E-269-2001/0-US-01); PCT Application No. PCT/US02/29319 
filed 16 Sep 2002 (HHS Reference No. E-269-2001/0-PCT-02); Canadian 
National Stage Filing, Application No. 2463538, filed 16 Sep 2002 (HHS 
Reference No. E-269-2001/0-CA-03); European National Stage Filing, 
Application No. 02773398.9, filed 28 Mar 2004 (HHS Reference No. E-269-
2001/0-EP-04).
    Licensing Status: Available for non-exclusive or exclusive 
licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Michael A. Shmilovich, Esq.; 301/435-5019; 
shmilovm@mail.nih.gov.
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The NHLBI/Pulmonary Critical 
Care Medicine Branch (PCCMB) is seeking statements of capability or 
interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further 
develop, evaluate, or commercialize innovative endotracheal tube 
technology. Please contact Marianne Lynch at 301-594-4094 or 
lynchm@nhlbi.nih.gov for more information.

Increased Protein Expression Vector for Vaccine Applications

    Description of Technology: An expression vector with a unique 
promoter that results in higher level of protein expression than 
vectors currently in use is available for licensing from the NIH. The 
elevated

[[Page 34024]]

levels of expression are achieved through use of a specific promoter, 
known as CMV/R, in which the Human T-Lymphotrophic Virus (HTLV-1) Long 
Terminal Repeat (LTR) R-U5 region is substituted for a portion of the 
intron downstream of the CMV immediate early region 1 enhancer (Barouch 
et al., 2005). Sequences of 95% or better homology to CMV/R can be used 
as well. CMV/R vectors are currently being used in a number of clinical 
trials, including vaccines against West Nile Virus, Ebola virus, and 
HIV and achieving promising results. The related HIV vaccine technology 
is available for licensing, as is the Ebola DNA vaccine technology 
(non-exclusive licensing only). The CMV/R vector can be used for any 
DNA vaccine or for the production of recombinant proteins in high 
yields.
    Applications: Vector for DNA vaccines; High yield expression of 
recombinant proteins.
    Inventors: Gary Nabel and Zhi-yong Yang (NIAID).
    Patent Status: U.S. Patent No. 7,094,598 issued 22 Aug 2006 [HHS 
Reference No. E-241-2001/1-US-01 (CMV/R)], applications pending in EP, 
JP, CA, and AU; U.S. Patent Application No. 10/491,121 filed 23 Aug 
2004 [HHS Reference No. E-241-2001/0-US-07 (Ebola DNA vaccine)], 
applications pending in EP, JP, CA, and AU; U.S. Patent Application No. 
11/632,522 filed 16 Jan 2007 [HHS Reference No. E-267-2004/1-US-08 (HIV 
DNA vaccine)].
    Licensing Status: Available for non-exclusive licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Susan Ano, Ph.D.; 301/435-5515; 
anos@mail.nih.gov.

    Dated: June 11, 2007.
Steven M. Ferguson,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of 
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
 [FR Doc. E7-11830 Filed 6-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P

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