Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing, 54270-54272 [E7-18774]

Download as PDF 54270 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 184 / Monday, September 24, 2007 / Notices projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. Proposed Collection: Title: Quality of Life Outcomes in Neurological Disorders; Type of Information Collection Request: New; Form Number: NA; Need and Use of Information Collection: In order to improve outcome measurement in clinical trials of neurological conditions, NINDS is developing a health-related quality of life (HRQL) measurement system for major neurological diseases that affect the United States population. This measurement system must be consistent enough across the selected conditions to allow for cross-disease comparison, and yet flexible enough to capture condition-specific HRQL issues. The primary end users of this measurement system will be clinical trialists and other clinical neurology researchers; however the measurement system will Number of respondents Type of respondents also be appropriate for clinical practice. The proposed information collection will support psychometric testing of HRQL item banks and testing of Spanish translation of the final questionnaires. Frequency of Response: Once; Affected Public: Individuals; Type of Respondent: Adults and children. The annual reporting burden is shown in the following table. There are no Capital Costs, Operating Costs or Maintenance Costs to report. Frequency of response Average time per response Annual hour burden Adults ............................................................................................................... Children ............................................................................................................ 6000 3000 1 1 0.5 0.5 3,000 1,500 Totals ........................................................................................................ 9000 ........................ ........................ 4,500 rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES Request for Comments: Written comments and/or suggestions from the public and affected agencies should address one or more of the following points; (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the function of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, contact: Dr. Claudia Moy, Program Director, Clinical Trials Group, NINDS, NIH, Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 2214, Bethesda, MD 20892, or call non-tollfree number 301–496–2789 or e-mail your request, including your address to: moyc@ninds.nih.gov. Comments Due Date: Comments regarding this information collection are best assured of having their full effect if received within 60 days of the date of this publication. Dated: September 6, 2007. Joellen Harper Austin, Executive Officer, NINDS, National Institutes of Health. [FR Doc. E7–18772 Filed 9–21–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:43 Sep 21, 2007 Jkt 211001 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. Method for Predicting and Detecting Tumor Metastasis Description of Technology: Detecting cancer prior to metastasis greatly increases the efficacy of treatment and the chances of patient survival. Although numerous biomarkers have been reported to identify aggressive tumor types and predict prognosis, each biomarker is specific for a particular type of cancer, and no universal marker PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 that can predict metastasis in a number of cancers have been identified. In addition, due to a lack of reliability, several markers are typically required to determine the prognosis and course of therapy. Available for licensing are carboxypeptidase E (CPE) inhibitor compositions and methods to prognose and treat cancer as well as methods to determine the stage of cancer. The inventors discovered that CPE expression levels increase according to the presence of cancer and metastasis wherein CPE is upregulated in tumors and CPE levels are further increased in metastatic cancer. This data has been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo experiments and in liver, breast, prostate, colon, and head and neck cancers. Metastatic liver cells treated with CPE siRNA reversed the cells from being metastatic and arrested cells from further metastasis. Thus, CPE as a biomarker for predicting metastasis and its inhibitors have an enormous potential to increase patient survival. Applications: Method to prognose multiple types of cancer and determine likelihood of metastasis; Compositions that inhibit CPE such as siRNA; Method to prevent and treat cancer with CPE inhibitors. Market: 600,000 cancer related deaths in 2006; Global cancer market is worth more than eight percent of total global pharmaceutical sales; Cancer industry is predicted to expand to $85.3 billion by 2010. Development Status: The technology is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development. Inventors: Y. Peng Loh (NICHD) et al. Publication: Manuscript in preparation. Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/885,809 filed 19 Jan E:\FR\FM\24SEN1.SGM 24SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 184 / Monday, September 24, 2007 / Notices rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES 2007 (HHS Reference No. E–096–2007/ 0–US–01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/887,061 filed 29 Jan 2007 (HHS Reference No. E–096–2007/1–US–01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/ 895,912 filed 20 Mar 2007 (HHS Reference No. E–096–2007/2–US–01). Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing. Licensing Contact: Jennifer Wong; 301/435–4633; wongje@mail.nih.gov. Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, Section on Cellular Neurobiology, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize CPE as a biomarker for predicting metastasis. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301–435–3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information. Methods of Determining the Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Description of Technology: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents an extremely poor prognostic cancer that remains one of the most common and aggressive malignancies worldwide. A major hallmark of HCC is intrahepatic metastasis and postsurgical reoccurrence. With current diagnostic methods, HCC patients are often diagnosed with end-stage cancer and have poor survival. Thus, there is a need for an accurate method to identify HCC and its proclivity for metastases/relapse, particularly at early stages of this disease. The inventors have discovered a unique set of microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers that are associated with HCC metastasis/recurrence. This miRNA signature was validated in an independent cohort of 110 HCC samples as an independent predictor of HCC prognosis and likelihood of metastasis and relapse. In particular, the inventors provide evidence that these miRNA markers can predict HCC metastasis in the early stages of cancer. This methodology may enable clinicians to effectively stratify patients for appropriate cancer treatment and prioritize liver transplantation candidates. Applications: Method to prognose HCC, patient survival and likelihood of HCC metastasis/relapse; Diagnostic tool to aid clinicians in determining appropriate cancer treatment; Compositions that inhibit miRNA HCC biomarkers such as siRNA; Method to treat HCC patients with inhibitory miRNA compositions. Market: Primary liver cancer accounts for about 2% of cancers in the U.S., but VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:43 Sep 21, 2007 Jkt 211001 up to half of all cancers in some undeveloped countries; Post-operative five year survival rate of HCC patients is 30–40%. Development Status: This technology is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development. Inventors: Xin Wei Wang et al. (NCI). Publication: Budhu et al. A Unique Metastasis-related MicroRNA Expression Signature Predicts Survival and Recurrence in Hepatocellular Carcinoma, manuscript in preparation. Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/884,052 filed 09 Jan 2007 (HHS Reference No. E–050–2007/ 0–US–01). Licensing Availability: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing. Licensing Contact: Jennifer Wong; 301/435–4633; wongje@mail.nih.gov. 54271 2006 (HHS Reference No. E–319–2006/ 0–US–01). Licensing Status: Available for nonexclusive licensing. Licensing Contact: Jennifer Wong; 301/435–4633; wongje@mail.nih.gov. Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Cancer Institute’s Urologic Oncology Branch is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize models to study aging and longevity factors. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301–435–3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information. Biomarkers for Tissue Status Description of Technology: Tissue regeneration and tumorigenesis are complex, adaptive processes controlled by cues from the tissue Mutant Alleles of Hsp90 That microenvironment. There are complex Modulates the Lifespan of Yeast Description of Technology: Heat shock processes both characterized by cell proliferation, migration, and protein 90 (Hsp90) are a class of chaperone proteins that are up-regulated angiogenesis suggesting that wounds in response to elevated temperature and and cancer share a number of phenotypic similarities including other environmental stresses. They act cellular behavior, signaling molecules, as chaperones to other cellular proteins and gene expression. and facilitate their proper folding and Utilizing the kidneys as a model to repair, and aid in the refolding of compare renal regeneration and repair misfolded client proteins. (RRR) from ischemically-injured tissues This invention identifies Hsp90 and renal cellular carcinoma (RCC), the mutant residues that affect the inventors have identified biomarkers chronological lifespan of yeast. These which are differentially expressed. The mutations in addition to a deletion in invention relates to methods of quickly the sch9 allele, the yeast homolog to and accurately diagnosing RCC and human kinase AKT, can increase yeast monitoring renal tissue health as well as lifespan from 45 to 57 days, RCC treatment. approximately 20% longer than the Applications: Method to accurately wildtype strain. These genetically diagnose RCC; RCC biomarker inhibitors engineered yeast strains may have the such siRNA; Method to treat RCC; longest chronological lifespan reported Method to determine and monitor renal to date. tissue health status; Method for Applications: Model to study aging improving renal ischemia recovery and longevity factors; Model to screen without promoting RCC; Biomarkers for compounds that affect lifespan; A longimmunotherapy, drug targeting and lived yeast strain could be used to drug screening, for targeting tumors and ferment alcohol in a more efficient and not normal regenerating tissue; cost effective as an alternative fuel Biomarkers for immunotherapy, drug source; Method to extend lifespan of targeting and drug screening, for transgenic farm animals. targeting ischemic tissue and not Market: Anti-aging and alternative tumors. fuel industries are worth billions of Market: Kidney cancer is one of the dollars. top ten most prevalent cancers in the Development Status: The technology U.S. and it accounts for 12,200 deaths is currently in the pre-clinical stage of annually; Approximately 35,000 new development. cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed Inventors: Bradley T. Scroggins (NCI) annually; 50% survival rate after five et al. years of diagnosis; Renal cancer Related Publication: BT Scroggins et accounts for 3% of all adult male al. An acetylation site in the middle malignancies. domain of Hsp90 regulates chaperone Development Status: The technology function. Mol Cell. 2007 Jan is currently in the pre-clinical stage of 12;25(1):151–159. development. Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Inventors: Joseph Riss (NCI) et al. Publications: Application No. 60/848,346 filed 09 Sep PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24SEN1.SGM 24SEN1 54272 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 184 / Monday, September 24, 2007 / Notices 1. FF Marshall. Urological Survey. Urological Oncology: Renal, Ureteral and Retroperitoneal Tumors. J Urol. 2007 May;177(5):1732–1734. 2. J Riss et al. Cancers as wounds that do not heal: Differences and similarities between renal regeneration/repair and renal cell carcinoma. Cancer Res. 2006 July 15;66(14):7216–7224. Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/649,208 filed 01 Feb 2005 (HHS Reference No. E–064–2005/ 0–US–01); PCT Application No. PCT/ US2006/003611 filed 01 Feb 2006 (HHS Reference No. E–064–2005/0–PCT–02). Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing. Licensing Contact: Jennifer Wong; 301/435–4633; wongje@mail.nih.gov. Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Wound Healing and Oncogenesis (NCI/CCR/LCBG), is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize topics of invention or related to cancer biology, metastasis, wound healing, bioinformatics, pharmacogenomics and therapeutic. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301–435–3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information. Dated: September 18, 2007. Steven M. Ferguson, Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health. [FR Doc. E7–18774 Filed 9–21–07; 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. rfrederick on PROD1PC67 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 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. VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:43 Sep 21, 2007 Jkt 211001 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. ADDRESSES: A Transgenic Mouse Expressing Reverse Tetracycline-Controlled Transactivator in Melanocytes Description of Technology: Available for licensing are transgenic mice that allow for specific and inducible expression of proteins in melanocytes. Melanocytes are difficult to study because of their paucity in mammalian skin, and these mice present a readily available source of these cells and model to study melanocyte diseases such as melanoma of the skin and eye. The mice can be crossed with transgenic mice that harbor the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene, resulting in melanocyte-specific GFP labeling. GFP labeling can aid in imaging and/or isolation of melanocytes via fluorescence activated cell sorting, and it can be used to study melanocytes at both the cellular and molecular level. Applications: Research tool to study melanocytes and melanocyte related diseases such as melanoma of the skin and eye. Model to develop and test cosmetic dermatology products such as skin tanners. Advantages: Research tool to study melanocytes at the cellular and molecular level. Melanocytes compose a minute fraction of mammalian skin. These mice present a significant advantage in labeling, imaging and isolating these cells. Market: An estimated 59,940 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in 2007. An estimated 8,110 Americans will die of skin cancer in 2007. Intraocular melanoma is a rare disease. For every 100,000 Americans, there are approximately 17.7 new cases of intraocular melanoma. Cosmetic dermatology industry is worth billions of dollars. Inventors: Glenn T. Merlino, M. Raza Zaidi, et al. (NCI) Publication: Planned oral presentation at the Fourth International Congress on Melanoma in New York City, November 1–4, 2007. The technology is mentioned in the Abstract for this meeting. PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Patent Status: HHS Reference No. E–308–2007/0—Research Tool. Patent protection is not being sought for this technology. Licensing Status: Available for nonexclusive licensing. Licensing Contact: Jennifer Wong; 301–435–4633; wongje@mail.nih.gov. Collaborative Research Opportunity: The Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics of the National Cancer Institute is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize use of transgenic mice that allow for specific and inducible expression of proteins in melanocytes. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301–435–3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information. Chimeric Peptide Antigen Library: A Novel Tool for the Development of Vaccines Against Variable Pathogens Such as HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis C and Malaria Description of Technology: Many pathogens of dangerous human diseases such as HIV–1, HIV–2, viruses of hepatitis B and C, virus of influenza, viruses of dengue fever of types 1–4, pathogens of malaria and tuberculosis all possess significant variability. Libraries of chimeric peptides, which imitate the genetic variability of the variable sections of the pathogenic protein, can cause a defensive immune response to the wide spectrum of the pathogen diversity. The immunogenic collections of chimeric peptides (libraries of variable chimeric peptides) in total reflect the natural and potential variability of the sections which determine antigenic activity. The present invention relates to antigenic peptides, the methods of their preparation and their peptide libraries and it can be used for preparation of vaccines and medicine diagnostics. More specifically, the invention describes that the number of sequences in the library (size of library) is equal to the product of the number of possible residues in each position of peptide. The size of library can be reduced by sequential removal of residues which have the lowest frequency until the size will reach the required value. Applications: Variable chimeric peptide libraries (VPCLs) can help construct effective vaccines capable of treating variable infectious agents such as HIV, TB, and Malaria. Advantages: VPCLs represent naturally occurring and potential variability of antigenically active regions in one vaccine. E:\FR\FM\24SEN1.SGM 24SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 184 (Monday, September 24, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54270-54272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18774]


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

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.

Method for Predicting and Detecting Tumor Metastasis

    Description of Technology: Detecting cancer prior to metastasis 
greatly increases the efficacy of treatment and the chances of patient 
survival. Although numerous biomarkers have been reported to identify 
aggressive tumor types and predict prognosis, each biomarker is 
specific for a particular type of cancer, and no universal marker that 
can predict metastasis in a number of cancers have been identified. In 
addition, due to a lack of reliability, several markers are typically 
required to determine the prognosis and course of therapy.
    Available for licensing are carboxypeptidase E (CPE) inhibitor 
compositions and methods to prognose and treat cancer as well as 
methods to determine the stage of cancer. The inventors discovered that 
CPE expression levels increase according to the presence of cancer and 
metastasis wherein CPE is upregulated in tumors and CPE levels are 
further increased in metastatic cancer. This data has been demonstrated 
both in vitro and in vivo experiments and in liver, breast, prostate, 
colon, and head and neck cancers. Metastatic liver cells treated with 
CPE siRNA reversed the cells from being metastatic and arrested cells 
from further metastasis. Thus, CPE as a biomarker for predicting 
metastasis and its inhibitors have an enormous potential to increase 
patient survival.
    Applications: Method to prognose multiple types of cancer and 
determine likelihood of metastasis; Compositions that inhibit CPE such 
as siRNA; Method to prevent and treat cancer with CPE inhibitors.
    Market: 600,000 cancer related deaths in 2006; Global cancer market 
is worth more than eight percent of total global pharmaceutical sales; 
Cancer industry is predicted to expand to $85.3 billion by 2010.
    Development Status: The technology is currently in the pre-clinical 
stage of development.
    Inventors: Y. Peng Loh (NICHD) et al.
    Publication: Manuscript in preparation.
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/885,809 filed 19 
Jan

[[Page 54271]]

2007 (HHS Reference No. E-096-2007/0-US-01); U.S. Provisional 
Application No. 60/887,061 filed 29 Jan 2007 (HHS Reference No. E-096-
2007/1-US-01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/895,912 filed 20 Mar 
2007 (HHS Reference No. E-096-2007/2-US-01).
    Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive 
licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Jennifer Wong; 301/435-4633; 
wongje@mail.nih.gov.
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Institute for 
Child Health and Human Development, Section on Cellular Neurobiology, 
is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested 
in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or 
commercialize CPE as a biomarker for predicting metastasis. Please 
contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for 
more information.

Methods of Determining the Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

    Description of Technology: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) 
represents an extremely poor prognostic cancer that remains one of the 
most common and aggressive malignancies worldwide. A major hallmark of 
HCC is intrahepatic metastasis and post-surgical reoccurrence. With 
current diagnostic methods, HCC patients are often diagnosed with end-
stage cancer and have poor survival. Thus, there is a need for an 
accurate method to identify HCC and its proclivity for metastases/
relapse, particularly at early stages of this disease.
    The inventors have discovered a unique set of microRNA (miRNA) 
biomarkers that are associated with HCC metastasis/recurrence. This 
miRNA signature was validated in an independent cohort of 110 HCC 
samples as an independent predictor of HCC prognosis and likelihood of 
metastasis and relapse. In particular, the inventors provide evidence 
that these miRNA markers can predict HCC metastasis in the early stages 
of cancer. This methodology may enable clinicians to effectively 
stratify patients for appropriate cancer treatment and prioritize liver 
transplantation candidates.
    Applications: Method to prognose HCC, patient survival and 
likelihood of HCC metastasis/relapse; Diagnostic tool to aid clinicians 
in determining appropriate cancer treatment; Compositions that inhibit 
miRNA HCC biomarkers such as siRNA; Method to treat HCC patients with 
inhibitory miRNA compositions.
    Market: Primary liver cancer accounts for about 2% of cancers in 
the U.S., but up to half of all cancers in some undeveloped countries; 
Post-operative five year survival rate of HCC patients is 30-40%.
    Development Status: This technology is currently in the pre-
clinical stage of development.
    Inventors: Xin Wei Wang et al. (NCI).
    Publication: Budhu et al. A Unique Metastasis-related MicroRNA 
Expression Signature Predicts Survival and Recurrence in Hepatocellular 
Carcinoma, manuscript in preparation.
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/884,052 filed 09 
Jan 2007 (HHS Reference No. E-050-2007/0-US-01).
    Licensing Availability: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive 
licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Jennifer Wong; 301/435-4633; 
wongje@mail.nih.gov.

Mutant Alleles of Hsp90 That Modulates the Lifespan of Yeast

    Description of Technology: Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) are a 
class of chaperone proteins that are up-regulated in response to 
elevated temperature and other environmental stresses. They act as 
chaperones to other cellular proteins and facilitate their proper 
folding and repair, and aid in the refolding of misfolded client 
proteins.
    This invention identifies Hsp90 mutant residues that affect the 
chronological lifespan of yeast. These mutations in addition to a 
deletion in the sch9 allele, the yeast homolog to human kinase AKT, can 
increase yeast lifespan from 45 to 57 days, approximately 20% longer 
than the wildtype strain. These genetically engineered yeast strains 
may have the longest chronological lifespan reported to date.
    Applications: Model to study aging and longevity factors; Model to 
screen compounds that affect lifespan; A long-lived yeast strain could 
be used to ferment alcohol in a more efficient and cost effective as an 
alternative fuel source; Method to extend lifespan of transgenic farm 
animals.
    Market: Anti-aging and alternative fuel industries are worth 
billions of dollars.
    Development Status: The technology is currently in the pre-clinical 
stage of development.
    Inventors: Bradley T. Scroggins (NCI) et al.
    Related Publication: BT Scroggins et al. An acetylation site in the 
middle domain of Hsp90 regulates chaperone function. Mol Cell. 2007 Jan 
12;25(1):151-159.
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/848,346 filed 09 
Sep 2006 (HHS Reference No. E-319-2006/0-US-01).
    Licensing Status: Available for non-exclusive licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Jennifer Wong; 301/435-4633; 
wongje@mail.nih.gov.
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Cancer Institute's 
Urologic Oncology Branch is seeking statements of capability or 
interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further 
develop, evaluate, or commercialize models to study aging and longevity 
factors. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or 
hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information.

Biomarkers for Tissue Status

    Description of Technology: Tissue regeneration and tumorigenesis 
are complex, adaptive processes controlled by cues from the tissue 
microenvironment. There are complex processes both characterized by 
cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis suggesting that wounds 
and cancer share a number of phenotypic similarities including cellular 
behavior, signaling molecules, and gene expression.
    Utilizing the kidneys as a model to compare renal regeneration and 
repair (RRR) from ischemically-injured tissues and renal cellular 
carcinoma (RCC), the inventors have identified biomarkers which are 
differentially expressed. The invention relates to methods of quickly 
and accurately diagnosing RCC and monitoring renal tissue health as 
well as RCC treatment.
    Applications: Method to accurately diagnose RCC; RCC biomarker 
inhibitors such siRNA; Method to treat RCC; Method to determine and 
monitor renal tissue health status; Method for improving renal ischemia 
recovery without promoting RCC; Biomarkers for immunotherapy, drug 
targeting and drug screening, for targeting tumors and not normal 
regenerating tissue; Biomarkers for immunotherapy, drug targeting and 
drug screening, for targeting ischemic tissue and not tumors.
    Market: Kidney cancer is one of the top ten most prevalent cancers 
in the U.S. and it accounts for 12,200 deaths annually; Approximately 
35,000 new cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed annually; 50% survival 
rate after five years of diagnosis; Renal cancer accounts for 3% of all 
adult male malignancies.
    Development Status: The technology is currently in the pre-clinical 
stage of development.
    Inventors: Joseph Riss (NCI) et al.
    Publications:

[[Page 54272]]

    1. FF Marshall. Urological Survey. Urological Oncology: Renal, 
Ureteral and Retroperitoneal Tumors. J Urol. 2007 May;177(5):1732-1734.
    2. J Riss et al. Cancers as wounds that do not heal: Differences 
and similarities between renal regeneration/repair and renal cell 
carcinoma. Cancer Res. 2006 July 15;66(14):7216-7224.
    Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/649,208 filed 01 
Feb 2005 (HHS Reference No. E-064-2005/0-US-01); PCT Application No. 
PCT/US2006/003611 filed 01 Feb 2006 (HHS Reference No. E-064-2005/0-
PCT-02).
    Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive 
licensing.
    Licensing Contact: Jennifer Wong; 301/435-4633; 
wongje@mail.nih.gov.
    Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Cancer Institute, 
Center for Cancer Research, Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, 
Wound Healing and Oncogenesis (NCI/CCR/LCBG), is seeking statements of 
capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative 
research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize topics of 
invention or related to cancer biology, metastasis, wound healing, 
bioinformatics, pharmacogenomics and therapeutic. Please contact John 
D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more 
information.

    Dated: September 18, 2007.
Steven M. Ferguson,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of 
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. E7-18774 Filed 9-21-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P
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