Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing, 48570-48572 [E9-22975]
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<![CDATA[
48570
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 183 / Wednesday, September 23, 2009 / Notices
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
plasmid, RFP-I-SceI-GR, is a chimera
between the ISceI endonuclease and the
ligand binding domain of the
glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in frame
with red fluorescent protein (RFP). This
GR chimera will translocate from the
cytoplasm to the nucleus upon addition
of triamcinolone acetonide, leading to
rapid induction of a double-stranded
break between the lac and tet arrays.
Applications:
• Tool for drug studies relating to
DNA stability and repair.
• Tool to probe the role of nuclear
and DNA binding proteins in stability
and repair.
Inventors: Thomas A. Misteli and Evi
Soutoglou (NCI).
Related Publication: E Soutoglou, JF
Dorn, K Sengupta, M Jasin, A
Nussenzweig, T Ried, G Danuser, T
Misteli. Positional stability of single
double-strand breaks in mammalian
cells. Nat Cell Biol. 2007 Jun;9(6):675–
682.
Patent Status: HHS Reference No. E–
264–2009/0—Research Tool. Patent
protection is not being pursued for this
technology.
Licensing Status: This technology is
available as a research tool under a
Biological Materials License.
Licensing Contact: Steve Standley,
PhD; 301–435–4074; sstand@od.nih.gov.
Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-Based
Functional Assay To Evaluate
Mutations in BRCA2
Description of Technology: Mutations
in breast cancer susceptibility genes
BRCA1 and BRCA2 have up to an 80
percent life time risk in developing
breast cancer. There are no ‘‘mutation
hot spots’’ and to date, more than 1,500
different mutations have been identified
in BRCA2. The absence of tumor cell
lines expressing various mutant BRCA2
alleles has hindered evaluations to
determine the functional differences
between different mutations.
A simple, versatile and reliable mouse
embryonic stem cell and bacterial
artificial chromosome based assay to
generate cell lines expressing mutant
human BRCA2 has been developed and
it has been used to classify 17 sequence
variants. Available for licensing are
wild-type and eleven mutant BRCA2
cell lines developed from this assay that
have either truncations or point
mutations. These cell lines may be used
to evaluate the effect of DNA damaging
agents, genotoxins and
chemotherapeutic efficacy.
Applications:
• Research tool to generate and study
BRCA2 mutations.
• Method to screen for
chemotherapeutics.
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• Method to evaluate DNA damaging
agents.
Advantages: Ready to use portfolio of
BRCA2 mutant cell lines to study
BRCA2 mutant functional analysis.
Market: An estimated 194,280 new
cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed
and may cause 40,610 deaths in the U.S.
in 2009.
Inventors: Shyam K. Sharan and
Sergey Kuznetsov (NCI).
Publication: SG Kuznetsov et al.
Mouse embryonic stem cell-based
functional assay to evaluate mutations
in BRCA2. Nat Med. 2008
Aug;14(8):875–881.
Patent Status: HHS Reference No. E–
261–2007/0—Research Tool. Patent
protection is not being pursued for this
technology.
Licensing Status: Available for
licensing.
Licensing Contact: Jennifer Wong;
301–435–4633; wongje@mail.nih.gov.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The Mouse Cancer Genetics Program,
Center for Cancer Research, National
Cancer Institute, is seeking statements of
capability or interest from parties
interested in collaborative research to
further develop, evaluate, or
commercialize mouse embryonic stem
cell lines suitable for functional analysis
of BRCA2 variants. Please contact John
D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301–435–3121 or
hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more
information.
Establishment of Two Cell Lines That
Stably Express Luciferase for In Vivo
Tracking
Description of Technology: Available
for licensing are two renal carcinoma
cell lines, 786-O(luc) and 786-O/VHL/
(luc) which both stably express
luciferase. 786-O(luc) lacks von HippelLandau (VHL) protein expression and it
has constitutively high expression of
hypoxia-inducible transcription factor2alpha (HIF-2alpha). The second stably
expresses VHL, a tumor suppressor, and
has minimal HIF-2alpha expression.
These cell lines can be tracked in vivo
and can be used to study VHLdependent and HIF-2alpha dependent
events such as tumorigenesis. VHL
mutations lead to the clinical
manifestations of von Hippel-Lindau
disease, a rare autosomal dominant
syndrome characterized by abnormal
growth of blood vessels in multiple
organs, including the brain and kidneys.
Applications: Model to study VHL
pathology.
Advantages: Cell lines that stably
express luciferase for in vivo tracking.
Benefits: Easy, ready to use positive
and negative VHL and HIF-2alpha cells
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that stably express luciferase for in vivo
tests.
Market:
• Incidence of VHL syndrome is 1 in
38,951.
• HCC is the third leading cause of
cancer death worldwide.
• HCC is the fifth most common
cancer in the world.
• Post-operative five-year survival
rate of HCC patients is 30–40 percent.
Inventors: Leonard M. Neckers and W.
Marston Linehan (NCI).
Patent Status: HHS Reference No. E–
005–2007/0—Research Tool. Patent
protection is not being pursued for this
technology.
Licensing Status: Available for
licensing.
Licensing Contact: Jennifer Wong;
301–435–4633; wongje@mail.nih.gov.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The National Cancer Institute, Urologic
Oncology Branch, is seeking statements
of capability or interest from parties
interested in collaborative research to
develop further uses for these two cell
lines that stably express luciferase for in
vivo tracking. Please contact John D.
Hewes, Ph.D. at 301–435–3121 or
hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more
information.
Dated: September 17, 2009.
Richard U. Rodriguez,
Director, Division of Technology Development
and Transfer, Office of Technology Transfer,
National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. E9–22974 Filed 9–22–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140–01–P
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
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 183 / Wednesday, September 23, 2009 / Notices
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
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.
Osmogels: A New Method for
Stabilizing Weak Molecular Complex
Interactions
Description of Invention: This
invention describes a new method for
stabilizing molecular complexes in
polyacrylamide gels for analysis by the
electrophoretic mobility shift assay. By
adding specific osmolytes directly to the
gel, investigators have found that
weakly interacting molecular complexes
can be sufficiently stabilized to allow
quantitative analysis of the binding.
Experiments with nonspecific labile
complexes of two restriction
endonucleases, EcoRI and BamHI, show
that one of these added solutes is
particularly effective at inhibiting
complex dissociation, does not interfere
with normal gel polymerization, and
does not significantly slow normal gel
migration. The results also demonstrate
that sharp bands can be obtained for
non-specific complexes of both enzymes
on gels prepared with this solute while
only smeared and distorted bands are
observed on regular gels prepared
without the solute. This method can be
used for protein-protein, DNA-protein,
and RNA-protein complexes, and can
also be extended to include other
techniques for separating complexes
from free components using gel
chromatography and capillary
electrophoresis.
The potential market for gels that
allow researchers to detect and quantify
weak molecular complex interactions is
significant; ranging from molecular
biologists searching for novel regulatory
DNA-binding proteins and convenient
ways to detect protein-protein, or
protein-DNA/RNA complexes to
crystallographers needing reliable
techniques to search for optimal
conditions of complex formation. This
technology has the potential to
significantly impact biomedical research
and development across many fields.
Application: Detection of weak
molecular complex interactions for
research and commercial use.
Development Status: Late stage.
Inventors: Nina Y. Sidorova and
Donald C. Rau (NICHD).
Publications:
1. NY Sidorova, S Muradymov, DC
Rau. Trapping DNA-protein binding
reactions with neutral osmolytes for the
analysis by gel mobility shift and self-
VerDate Nov<24>2008
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Jkt 217001
cleavage assays. Nucleic Acids Res.
2005 Sep 9;33(16):5145–5155.
2. NY Sidorova and DC Rau.
Differences between EcoRI nonspecific
and ‘‘star’’ sequence complexes revealed
by osmotic stress. Biophys J. 2004
Oct;87(4):2564–2576.
Patent Status: U.S. Patent Application
No. 12/485,481 filed 16 Jun 2009 (HHS
Reference No. E–214–2009/0–US–01);
No foreign patent rights available.
Licensing Status: Available for
licensing.
Licensing Contact: Jeffrey A. James,
Ph.D.; 301–435–5474;
jeffreyja@mail.nih.gov.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development, Program in
Physical Biology, Laboratory of Physical
and Structural Biology, is seeking
statements of capability or interest from
parties interested in collaborative
research to further develop, evaluate, or
commercialize osmogels for analysis of
weak complexes by the electrophoretic
mobility shift assay with potential
extension of the technique to other
separation methods. Please contact
Joseph Conrad III, Ph.D. at 301–435–
3107 or jmconrad@mail.nih.gov for
more information.
RNA Nanoparticles and Methods of Use
Description of Invention: The
invention hereby offered for licensing is
in the field of nanoparticles and their
usefulness in a variety of medical
applications. More specifically the
invention describes the design and
synthesis of various RNA nanoparticles.
These polyvalent nanoparticles
comprise RNA motifs as building blocks
that give the particles their unique
characteristics. Moreover, the motifs can
be pre-defined and chosen to give the
particles desired characteristics (e.g.
size and shape) tailored for a variety of
applications. The polyvalent particles
can utilize multiple unique positions to
carry functional groups for cell
recognition (e.g. cancer cells), therapy
and detection. For therapeutic or
detection applications the particles
typically encompass at least two
functional groups, a therapeutic or
imaging agent and a targeting agent that
will direct the particles to the targeted
tissue.
RNA nanoparticles have the potential
to serve as excellent drug or imaging
delivery systems due to their
designability and versatility.
Furthermore, the RNA nanoparticles of
the invention are also capable of selfassembly and potentially form
nanotubes of various shapes which offer
potentially broad uses in medical
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48571
implants, gene therapy, nanocircuits,
scaffolds and medical testing.
Applications: The technology can be
primarily used for therapeutic and
diagnostic applications.
Advantages: RNA nanoparticles
potentially offer advantages compared
to other conventional nanoparticles:
• They are compatible with biological
systems and thus may be readily used
for in vivo applications such as
therapeutic and diagnostic.
• They are small and have a potential
to move efficiently through biological
barriers to a target tissue.
• They have multiple binding sites
and thus can readily be conjugated with
several functional groups (e.g.
therapeutic molecule and targeting
molecule).
• They are versatile and can be
designed in different shapes and sizes
for different applications.
Development Status: Early stage.
Market:
• According to U.S. National Science
Foundation estimates, by 2015 the
annual global market for nano-related
goods and services will top $1 trillion,
thus making it one of the fastest-growing
industries in history. Assuming that
these figures prove to be accurate,
nanotechnology will emerge as a larger
economic force than the combined
telecommunications and information
technology industries at the beginning
of the technology boom of the late
1990s.
• The interest in nanoparticles as
carriers of biological materials for
medical applications has been growing
exponentially in recent years and the
commercial potential in the medical
field is vast.
• According to market research
reports the global medical market for
nanotechnology applications is
expected to increase from about $1.7
billion in 2007 to an estimated $3.8
billion by 2013, a compound annual
growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9%.
• Nanoparticles have the largest share
of the market, worth $1.6 billion in
2007. This segment is expected to be
worth $3.4 billion in 2013, a CAGR of
13.4%.
• Other nanostructured materials
represent the second largest segment,
generating $36.5 million in 2007 and an
$304.7 million in 2013, for a CAGR of
46.5%.
• Some therapeutics and imaging
medical products based on
nanoparticles have recently received
FDA approval and are ready for
commercialization. For example, the
Rexin G, a targeted Delivery System
(TRS) for treatment of solid tumors is
already used commercially in the
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48572
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 183 / Wednesday, September 23, 2009 / Notices
Philippine and is currently being
commercialized in the US by Epeius
Biotechnologies.
Inventor: Bruce A. Shapiro (NCI).
Publications:
1. E Bindewald, C Grunewald, B
Boyle, M O’Connor, BA Shapiro.
Computational strategies for the
automated design of RNA nanoscale
structures from building blocks using
NanoTiler. J Mol Graph Model. 2008
Oct;27(3):299–308.
2. B Shapiro, E Bindewald, W
Kasprzak, Y Yingling. (E Gazit, F
Nussinov, eds.) Protocols for the In
silico Design of RNA Nanostructures. In:
Nanostructure Design Methods and
Protocols. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press;
2008. p. 93–115.
3. HM Martinez, JV Maizel Jr, BA
Shapiro. RNA2D3D: a program for
generating, viewing, and comparing 3dimensional models of RNA. J Biomol
Struct Dyn. 2008 Jun;25(6):669–683.
4. I Severcan, C Geary, L Jaeger, E
Bindewald, W Kasprzak, B Shapiro. (G
Alterovitz, M Ramoni, R Benson, eds.)
Computational and Experimental RNA
Nanoparticle Design. In: Automation in
Genomics and Proteomics: An
Engineering Case-Based Approach.
Hoboken: Wiley Publishing; 2009.
5. E Bindewald, R Hayes, YG
Yingling, W Kasprzak, BA Shapiro.
RNAJunction: a database of RNA
junctions and kissing loops for threedimensional structural analysis and
nanodesign. Nucleic Acids Res. 2008
Jan;36:D392–397.
6. YG Yingling and BA Shapiro.
Computational design of an RNA
hexagonal nanoring and an RNA
nanotube. Nano Lett. 2007
Aug;7(8):2328–2334.
7. BA Shapiro and YG Yingling. PCT
Application No. PCT/US2007/13027
filed 31 May 2007, which published as
WO 2008/039254 on 03 Apr 2008, and
U.S. Patent Application No. 12/227,955
filed 02 Dec 2008; both entitled ‘‘RNA
Hexagonal Ring and RNA Nanotube.’’
Patent Status: U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61,187,495 filed 16 Jun
2009 (HHS Reference No. E–059–2009/
0–US–01).
Licensing Status: Available for
licensing.
Licensing Contacts: Uri Reichman,
Ph.D., MBA; 301–435–4616;
UR7a@nih.gov; John Stansberry, Ph.D.;
301–435–5236; js852e@nih.gov
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The National Cancer Institute’s
Nanobiology Program is seeking
statements of capability or interest from
parties interested in collaborative
research to further develop, evaluate, or
commercialize RNA nanostructures.
Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at
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301–435–3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov
for more information.
wronnenberg@niaid.nih.gov for more
information.
Bactericidal Peptides From Avian
Leukocyte Ribonuclease A–2
Dated: September 17, 2009.
Richard U. Rodriguez,
Director, Division of Technology Development
and Transfer, Office of Technology Transfer,
National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. E9–22975 Filed 9–22–09; 8:45 am]
Description of Invention: These
bactericidal polypeptides offer a novel
alternative to conventional antibiotics
that are used to treat and prevent
bacterial infections. As infectioncausing bacteria continue to develop
antibiotic resistance to first line
antibiotics there will always be a need
for new antibiotic alternatives.
Additionally, a greater understanding of
the specific cytoxic activity of RNase A
ribonucleases, their functional domains,
and their roles in promoting antipathogen host defense may provide
insight into new therapeutic agents.
This invention includes a novel
RNase A ribonuclease from chicken
leukocytes and polypeptides that have
bactericidal activities against both gram
positive and gram negative bacteria,
including such pathogens as Escherichia
coli, Salmonella spp., and
Staphylococcus.
Applications:
• Polypeptides exhibiting
bactericidal, bacteriostatic, and
ribonuclease activity.
• Pharmaceutical compositions
comprising the bactericidal
polypeptides.
• Methods for treating bacterial
infections.
Development Status: Early stage.
Market: With the increase in
antibiotic and antibacterial drug
resistance, the market for alternatives is
growing.
Inventors: Helene F. Rosenberg et al.
(NIAID).
Related Publication: T Nitto, KD Dyer,
M Czapiga, HF Rosenberg. Evolution
and function of leukocyte RNase A
ribonucleases of the avian species,
Gallus gallus. J Biol Chem. 2006 Sep
1;281(35):25622–25634.
Patent Status: U.S. Patent Application
No. 12/438,700 filed 24 Feb 2009,
claiming priority to 24 Aug 2006 (HHS
Reference No. E–281–2006/0–US–03)
Licensing Status: Available for
licensing.
Licensing Contact: RC Tang JD LLM;
301–435–5031; tangrc@mail.nih.gov.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The NIAID Laboratory of Allergic
Diseases is seeking statements of
capability or interest from parties
interested in collaborative research to
further develop, evaluate, or
commercialize this technology. Please
contact William Ronnenberg, NIAID
Office of Technology Development, at
301–451–3522 or
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BILLING CODE 4140–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. FDA–2009–N–0440]
Availability of Grant Funds for the
Support of Cooperative Agreement
Award to Georgetown University
Entitled: Genome Wide Methylation
Arrays for Detecting Markers of
Increased Susceptibility to Mammary
Cancer Caused by In-Utero Exposures
to Endocrine Disruptors (U01)
AGENCY:
Food and Drug Administration,
HHS.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), Center for
Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and Office
of New Animal Drugs (ONADE) is
announcing the availability of grant
funds for the support of a sole source,
cooperative agreement award to
Georgetown University, Lombardi
Cancer Research Center and Department
of Oncology entitled: ‘‘Genome Wide
Methylation Arrays for Detection
Markers of Increased Susceptibility to
Mammary Cancer Caused by In-Utero
Exposures to Endocrine Disruptors
(U01).’’ The main purpose of this study
is to help gain an understanding of the
extent to which exposures to endocrine
disruptors early in life increase later
susceptibility to developing breast
cancer by inducing heritable epigenetic
changes in transcription factors, which
are linked to increased breast cancer
risk. The study is subject to the
requirements of the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (the act) (21 U.S.C.
331, et seq.) regulations issued under it
and applicable Department of Health
and Human Services statutes and
regulations.
Important dates are as follows:
1. The application due date is 30 days
from the publication in the Federal
Register.
2. The anticipated start date is
September 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peer Review/Administrative Contact:
Michelle Fuller, Center for
DATES:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48570-48572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22975]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
[[Page 48571]]
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.
Osmogels: A New Method for Stabilizing Weak Molecular Complex
Interactions
Description of Invention: This invention describes a new method for
stabilizing molecular complexes in polyacrylamide gels for analysis by
the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. By adding specific osmolytes
directly to the gel, investigators have found that weakly interacting
molecular complexes can be sufficiently stabilized to allow
quantitative analysis of the binding. Experiments with nonspecific
labile complexes of two restriction endonucleases, EcoRI and BamHI,
show that one of these added solutes is particularly effective at
inhibiting complex dissociation, does not interfere with normal gel
polymerization, and does not significantly slow normal gel migration.
The results also demonstrate that sharp bands can be obtained for non-
specific complexes of both enzymes on gels prepared with this solute
while only smeared and distorted bands are observed on regular gels
prepared without the solute. This method can be used for protein-
protein, DNA-protein, and RNA-protein complexes, and can also be
extended to include other techniques for separating complexes from free
components using gel chromatography and capillary electrophoresis.
The potential market for gels that allow researchers to detect and
quantify weak molecular complex interactions is significant; ranging
from molecular biologists searching for novel regulatory DNA-binding
proteins and convenient ways to detect protein-protein, or protein-DNA/
RNA complexes to crystallographers needing reliable techniques to
search for optimal conditions of complex formation. This technology has
the potential to significantly impact biomedical research and
development across many fields.
Application: Detection of weak molecular complex interactions for
research and commercial use.
Development Status: Late stage.
Inventors: Nina Y. Sidorova and Donald C. Rau (NICHD).
Publications:
1. NY Sidorova, S Muradymov, DC Rau. Trapping DNA-protein binding
reactions with neutral osmolytes for the analysis by gel mobility shift
and self-cleavage assays. Nucleic Acids Res. 2005 Sep 9;33(16):5145-
5155.
2. NY Sidorova and DC Rau. Differences between EcoRI nonspecific
and ``star'' sequence complexes revealed by osmotic stress. Biophys J.
2004 Oct;87(4):2564-2576.
Patent Status: U.S. Patent Application No. 12/485,481 filed 16 Jun
2009 (HHS Reference No. E-214-2009/0-US-01); No foreign patent rights
available.
Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
Licensing Contact: Jeffrey A. James, Ph.D.; 301-435-5474;
jeffreyja@mail.nih.gov.
Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development, Program in Physical Biology, Laboratory
of Physical and Structural Biology, is seeking statements of capability
or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to
further develop, evaluate, or commercialize osmogels for analysis of
weak complexes by the electrophoretic mobility shift assay with
potential extension of the technique to other separation methods.
Please contact Joseph Conrad III, Ph.D. at 301-435-3107 or
jmconrad@mail.nih.gov for more information.
RNA Nanoparticles and Methods of Use
Description of Invention: The invention hereby offered for
licensing is in the field of nanoparticles and their usefulness in a
variety of medical applications. More specifically the invention
describes the design and synthesis of various RNA nanoparticles. These
polyvalent nanoparticles comprise RNA motifs as building blocks that
give the particles their unique characteristics. Moreover, the motifs
can be pre-defined and chosen to give the particles desired
characteristics (e.g. size and shape) tailored for a variety of
applications. The polyvalent particles can utilize multiple unique
positions to carry functional groups for cell recognition (e.g. cancer
cells), therapy and detection. For therapeutic or detection
applications the particles typically encompass at least two functional
groups, a therapeutic or imaging agent and a targeting agent that will
direct the particles to the targeted tissue.
RNA nanoparticles have the potential to serve as excellent drug or
imaging delivery systems due to their designability and versatility.
Furthermore, the RNA nanoparticles of the invention are also capable of
self-assembly and potentially form nanotubes of various shapes which
offer potentially broad uses in medical implants, gene therapy,
nanocircuits, scaffolds and medical testing.
Applications: The technology can be primarily used for therapeutic
and diagnostic applications.
Advantages: RNA nanoparticles potentially offer advantages compared
to other conventional nanoparticles:
They are compatible with biological systems and thus may
be readily used for in vivo applications such as therapeutic and
diagnostic.
They are small and have a potential to move efficiently
through biological barriers to a target tissue.
They have multiple binding sites and thus can readily be
conjugated with several functional groups (e.g. therapeutic molecule
and targeting molecule).
They are versatile and can be designed in different shapes
and sizes for different applications.
Development Status: Early stage.
Market:
According to U.S. National Science Foundation estimates,
by 2015 the annual global market for nano-related goods and services
will top $1 trillion, thus making it one of the fastest-growing
industries in history. Assuming that these figures prove to be
accurate, nanotechnology will emerge as a larger economic force than
the combined telecommunications and information technology industries
at the beginning of the technology boom of the late 1990s.
The interest in nanoparticles as carriers of biological
materials for medical applications has been growing exponentially in
recent years and the commercial potential in the medical field is vast.
According to market research reports the global medical
market for nanotechnology applications is expected to increase from
about $1.7 billion in 2007 to an estimated $3.8 billion by 2013, a
compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9%.
Nanoparticles have the largest share of the market, worth
$1.6 billion in 2007. This segment is expected to be worth $3.4 billion
in 2013, a CAGR of 13.4%.
Other nanostructured materials represent the second
largest segment, generating $36.5 million in 2007 and an $304.7 million
in 2013, for a CAGR of 46.5%.
Some therapeutics and imaging medical products based on
nanoparticles have recently received FDA approval and are ready for
commercialization. For example, the Rexin G, a targeted Delivery System
(TRS) for treatment of solid tumors is already used commercially in the
[[Page 48572]]
Philippine and is currently being commercialized in the US by Epeius
Biotechnologies.
Inventor: Bruce A. Shapiro (NCI).
Publications:
1. E Bindewald, C Grunewald, B Boyle, M O'Connor, BA Shapiro.
Computational strategies for the automated design of RNA nanoscale
structures from building blocks using NanoTiler. J Mol Graph Model.
2008 Oct;27(3):299-308.
2. B Shapiro, E Bindewald, W Kasprzak, Y Yingling. (E Gazit, F
Nussinov, eds.) Protocols for the In silico Design of RNA
Nanostructures. In: Nanostructure Design Methods and Protocols. Totowa,
NJ: Humana Press; 2008. p. 93-115.
3. HM Martinez, JV Maizel Jr, BA Shapiro. RNA2D3D: a program for
generating, viewing, and comparing 3-dimensional models of RNA. J
Biomol Struct Dyn. 2008 Jun;25(6):669-683.
4. I Severcan, C Geary, L Jaeger, E Bindewald, W Kasprzak, B
Shapiro. (G Alterovitz, M Ramoni, R Benson, eds.) Computational and
Experimental RNA Nanoparticle Design. In: Automation in Genomics and
Proteomics: An Engineering Case-Based Approach. Hoboken: Wiley
Publishing; 2009.
5. E Bindewald, R Hayes, YG Yingling, W Kasprzak, BA Shapiro.
RNAJunction: a database of RNA junctions and kissing loops for three-
dimensional structural analysis and nanodesign. Nucleic Acids Res. 2008
Jan;36:D392-397.
6. YG Yingling and BA Shapiro. Computational design of an RNA
hexagonal nanoring and an RNA nanotube. Nano Lett. 2007 Aug;7(8):2328-
2334.
7. BA Shapiro and YG Yingling. PCT Application No. PCT/US2007/13027
filed 31 May 2007, which published as WO 2008/039254 on 03 Apr 2008,
and U.S. Patent Application No. 12/227,955 filed 02 Dec 2008; both
entitled ``RNA Hexagonal Ring and RNA Nanotube.''
Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61,187,495 filed 16
Jun 2009 (HHS Reference No. E-059-2009/0-US-01).
Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
Licensing Contacts: Uri Reichman, Ph.D., MBA; 301-435-4616;
UR7a@nih.gov; John Stansberry, Ph.D.; 301-435-5236; js852e@nih.gov
Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Cancer Institute's
Nanobiology Program is seeking statements of capability or interest
from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop,
evaluate, or commercialize RNA nanostructures. Please contact John D.
Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more
information.
Bactericidal Peptides From Avian Leukocyte Ribonuclease A-2
Description of Invention: These bactericidal polypeptides offer a
novel alternative to conventional antibiotics that are used to treat
and prevent bacterial infections. As infection-causing bacteria
continue to develop antibiotic resistance to first line antibiotics
there will always be a need for new antibiotic alternatives.
Additionally, a greater understanding of the specific cytoxic activity
of RNase A ribonucleases, their functional domains, and their roles in
promoting anti-pathogen host defense may provide insight into new
therapeutic agents.
This invention includes a novel RNase A ribonuclease from chicken
leukocytes and polypeptides that have bactericidal activities against
both gram positive and gram negative bacteria, including such pathogens
as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus.
Applications:
Polypeptides exhibiting bactericidal, bacteriostatic, and
ribonuclease activity.
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the bactericidal
polypeptides.
Methods for treating bacterial infections.
Development Status: Early stage.
Market: With the increase in antibiotic and antibacterial drug
resistance, the market for alternatives is growing.
Inventors: Helene F. Rosenberg et al. (NIAID).
Related Publication: T Nitto, KD Dyer, M Czapiga, HF Rosenberg.
Evolution and function of leukocyte RNase A ribonucleases of the avian
species, Gallus gallus. J Biol Chem. 2006 Sep 1;281(35):25622-25634.
Patent Status: U.S. Patent Application No. 12/438,700 filed 24 Feb
2009, claiming priority to 24 Aug 2006 (HHS Reference No. E-281-2006/0-
US-03)
Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
Licensing Contact: RC Tang JD LLM; 301-435-5031;
tangrc@mail.nih.gov.
Collaborative Research Opportunity: The NIAID Laboratory of
Allergic Diseases is seeking statements of capability or interest from
parties interested in collaborative research to further develop,
evaluate, or commercialize this technology. Please contact William
Ronnenberg, NIAID Office of Technology Development, at 301-451-3522 or
wronnenberg@niaid.nih.gov for more information.
Dated: September 17, 2009.
Richard U. Rodriguez,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. E9-22975 Filed 9-22-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P
