[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 14, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14910-14911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6273]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The inventions listed below are owned by agencies 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.

Novel Attenuated Strains of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

CE Barry, Y Yuan, D Crane (NIAID)
DHHS Reference No. E-238-97/2 filed Jun 27, 2000
Licensing Contact: Carol Salata; 301/496-7735 ext. 232; e-mail: 
[email protected]

    This invention provides for novel attenuated strains of 
Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. bovis. Attenuation is achieved by 
deleting the gene encoding the alpha-crystallin heat shock protein 
(``acr gene''). This gene contributes to the virulence of the organism. 
Since this strain is isogenic with virulent M. tuberculosis but for 
this deletion, the full complement of antigens remains present and the 
organism is viable in vitro. The invention provides for vaccines and 
methods of vaccinating mammals for protection against Mycobacterium sp. 
that cause tuberculosis. This invention was filed as PCT/US98/14227 on 
Jul 09, 1998.

Methods and Compositions for Transforming Dendritic Cells and 
Activating T Cells

Patrick Hwu, Mark E. Reeves, Steven A. Rosenberg (NCI)
DHHS Reference Nos. E-040-96/0 filed Feb. 08, 1996, E-040-96/1 filed 
Feb. 07, 1997
(PCT/US97/02063); E-040-96/2 filed Jan. 07, 1999
Licensing Contact: Elaine White; 301/496-7056 ext. 282; e-mail: 
[email protected]

    This invention describes a novel method for making transformed 
dendritic cells, which are potent antigen presenting cells capable of 
stimulating the immune system. Hematopoietic stem cells are transformed 
with a specific nucleic acid; the transformed cell is then 
differentiated into a dendritic cell in vitro. The nucleic acid 
produces a polypeptide, fragments of which are expressed on the major 
histocompatibility complex (MHC) receptors on the surface of the 
dendritic cell. These cells may then be used to activate T cells 
against specific target antigens. Use of specific antigens for 
transduction into the dendritic cells is described. The invention 
therefore may represent a valuable tool for use in the treatment of a 
number of diseases,

[[Page 14911]]

including various cancers and viral infections such as HIV.

    Dated: March 6, 2001.
Jack Spiegel,
Director, Division of Technology, Development and Transfer, Office of 
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 01-6273 Filed 3-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P