73 FR 17 pgs. 4598-4603 - Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing
Type: NOTICEVolume: 73Number: 17Pages: 4598 - 4603
FR document: [FR Doc. E8-1232 Filed 1-24-08; 8:45 am]
Agency: Health and Human Services Department
Sub Agency: National Institutes of Health
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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.
Monoclonal Antibodies Against Dengue and Other Viruses With Deletion in Fc Region
Description of Invention: The four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4) are the most important arthropod-borne flaviviruses in terms of morbidity and geographic distribution. Up to 100 million DENV infections occur every year, mostly in tropical and subtropical areas where vector mosquitoes are abundant. Infection with any of the DENV serotypes may be asymptomatic or may lead to classic dengue fever or more severe dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS), which are increasingly common in the dengue endemic areas. Immunity to the same virus serotype (homotypic immunity) is life-long, whereas immunity to different serotypes (heterotypic immunity) lasts 2-3 months so that infection with a different serotype virus is possible. DHF/DSS often occurs in patients with second, heterotypic DENV infections or in infants with maternally transferred dengue immunity. Severe dengue is a major cause of hospitalization, and fatality rates vary from 1% to 5% in children.
Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) has been proposed as an underlying pathogenic mechanism of DHF/DSS. ADE occurs because preexisting subneutralizing antibodies and the infecting DENV form complexes that bind to Fc receptor-bearing cells, leading to increased virus uptake and replication. ADE has been repeatedly demonstrated in vitro using dengue immune sera or monoclonal antibodies and cells of monocytic and recently, B lymphocytic lineages bearing Fc receptors. ADE of DENV-2 infection has also been demonstrated in monkeys infused with a human dengue immune serum.
We have identified chimpanzee-human chimeric IgG1 mAbs capable of neutralizing or binding to one or more DENV serotypes. Cross-reactive IgG 1A5 neutralizes DENV-1 and DENV-2 more efficiently than DENV-3 and DENV-4, and type-specific IgG 5H2 neutralizes DENV-4 at a high titer. Analysis of antigenic variants has localized the IgG 1A5 binding site to the conserved fusion peptide in E. Thus, IgG 1A5 shares many characteristics with the cross-reactive antibodies detected in flavivirus infections.
This application claims a variant of an antibody comprising a polypeptide in the Fc region, which binds an Fc gamma receptor (FcgammaR) with lower affinity than the parent antibody. The variant polypeptide comprises a deletion of nine amino acids at the N-terminus of the C H 2 domain in the Fc region. Introduction of the Fc variant abrogates the antibody-mediated dengue virus replication enhancing activity. This invention has important implications for the antibody-mediated prevention of dengue virus infection.
Application: Immunization against Dengue and/or flaviviruses.
Developmental Status: Antibody candidates have been synthesized and preclinical studies have been performed.
Inventors: Ana Goncalvez, Robert Purcell, C.J. Lai (NIAID).
Publication: AP Goncalvez, et al. Monoclonal antibody-mediated enhancement of dengue virus infection in vitro and in vivo and strategies for prevention Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2007 May 29;104(22):9422-9427.
Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/922,282 filed 04 Apr 2007 (HHS Reference No. E-159-2007/0-US-01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/927,755 filed 04 May 2007 (HHS Reference No. E-159-2007/1-US-01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/928,405 filed 08 May 2007 (HHS Reference No. E-159-2007/2-US-01).
Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.
Licensing Contact: Peter A. Soukas, J.D.; 301/435-4646; soukasp@mail.nih.gov .
Monoclonal Antibodies that Neutralize B. anthracis Protective Antigen (PA), Lethal Factor (LF) and Edema Factor (EF)
Description of Invention: Anthrax, whether resulting from natural or bioterrorist-associated exposure, is a constant threat to human health. The lethality of anthrax is primarily the result of the effects of anthrax toxin, which has 3 components: a receptor-binding protein known as "protective antigen" (PA) and 2 catalytic proteins known as "lethal factor" (LF) and "edema factor" (EF). Although production of an efficient anthrax vaccine is an ultimate goal, the benefits of vaccination can be expected only if a large proportion of the population at risk is immunized. The low incidence of anthrax suggests that large-scale vaccination may not be the most efficient means of controlling this disease. In contrast, passive administration of neutralizing human or chimpanzee monoclonal antibody to a subject at risk for anthrax or exposed to anthrax could provide immediate efficacy for emergency prophylaxis against or treatment of anthrax.
Four monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against PA, three mAbs against LF and four mAbs specific for EF of anthrax were isolated from a phage display library generated from immunized chimpanzees. Two mAbs recognizing PA (W1 and W2), two anti-LF mAbs efficiently neutralized the cytotoxicity of lethal toxin in a macrophage lysis assay. One anti-EF mAb efficiently neutralized edema toxin in cell culture. All five neutralizing mAbs protected animals from anthrax toxin challenge.
Application: Prophylactics or therapeutics against B. anthracis.
Developmental Status: Preclinical studies have been performed.
Inventors: Zhaochun Chen, Robert Purcell, Suzanne Emerson, Stephen Leppla, Mahtab Moyeri (NIAID).
Publication: Z Chen, et al. Efficient neutralization of anthrax toxin by chimpanzee monoclonal antibodies against protective antigen. J Infect Dis. 2006 Mar 1;193(5):625-633.
Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/903,022 filed 23 Feb 2007 (HHS Reference No. E-123-2007/0-US-01); U.S. Patent Application No. 11/793,735 filed 22 Jun 2007 (HHS Reference No. E-146-2004/0-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 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize Chimpanzee/human neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against anthrax toxins. Please contact Dr. Robert Purcell at 301-496-5090 for more information.
Cell-Nanofiber Composite and Cell-Nanofiber Composite Amalgam Based Engineered Intervertebral Disc
Description of Invention: Diseased or damaged musculoskeletal tissues are often replaced by an artificial material, cadaver tissue or donated, allogenic tissue. Tissue engineering offers an attractive alternative whereby a live, natural tissue is generated from a construct made up of a patient's own cells or an acceptable/compatible cell source in combination with a biodegradable scaffold for replacement of defective tissue.
Degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) is a common and significant source of morbidity in our society. Approximately 8 of 10 adults at some point in their life will experience an episode of significant low back pain, with the majority improving without any formal treatment. However, for the subject requiring surgical management current interventions focus on fusion of the involved IVD levels, which eliminates pain but does not attempt to restore disc function. Approximately 200,000 spinal fusions were performed in the United States in 2002 to treat pain associated with lumbar disc degeneration. Spinal fusion however is thought to significantly alter the biomechanics of the disc and lead to further degeneration, or adjacent segment disease. Therefore, in the past decade there has been mounting interest in the concept of IVD replacement. The replacement of the IVD holds tremendous potential as an alternative to spinal fusion for the treatment of degenerative disc disease by offering a safer alternative to current spinal fusion practices.
At the present time, several disc replacement implants are at different stages of preclinical and clinical testing. These disc replacement technologies are designed to address flexion, extension, and lateral bending motions; however, they do little to address compressive forces and their longevity is limited due to their inability to biointegrate. Therefore, a cell-based tissue engineering approach offers the most promising alternative to replace the degenerated IVD. Current treatment for injuries that penetrate subchondral bone include subchondral drilling, periosteal tissue grafting, osteochondral allografting, chondrogenic cell and transplantation; but are limited due to suboptimal integration with host tissues.
The present invention claims tissue engineered intervertebral discs comprising a nanofibrous polymer hydrogel amalgam having cells dispersed therein, methods of fabricating tissue engineered intervertebral discs by culturing a mixture of stem cells or intervertebral disc cells and a electrospun nanofibrous polymer hydrogel amalgam in a suitable bioreactor, and methods of treatment comprising implantation of tissue engineered intervertebral disc into a subject.
Application: Intervertebral disc bio-constructs and electrospinning methods for fabrication of the discs.
Developmental Status: Prototype devices have been fabricated and preclinical studies have been performed.
Inventors: Wan-Ju Li, Leon Nesti, Rocky Tuan (NIAMS)
Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/847,839 filed 27 Sep 2006 (HHS Reference No. E-309-2006/0-US-01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/848,284 filed 28 Sep 2006 (HHS Reference No. E-309-2006/1-US-01)
Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.
Licensing Contact: Peter A. Soukas, J.D.; 301/435-4646; soukasp@mail.nih.gov .
Cell-Nanofiber Composite Based Engineered Cartilage
Description of Invention: Available for licensing and commercial development is a tissue-engineered cartilage derived from a cellular composite made from a biodegradable, biocompatible polymeric nanofibrous matrix having dispersed chondrocytes or adult mesenchymal stem cells. More particularly, tissue-engineered cartilage can be prepared where the cartilage has a biodegradable and biocompatible nanofibrous polymer matrix prepared by electrospinning and a plurality of chondrocytes or mesenchymal stem cells dispersed in the pores of the matrix. The tissue-engineered cartilage possesses compressive strength properties similar to natural cartilage.
The electrospinning process is a simple, economical means to produce biomaterial matrices or scaffolds of ultra-fine fibers derived from a variety of biodegradable polymers (Li WJ, et al. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 2002; 60:613-21). Nanofibrous scaffolds (NFSs) formed by electrospinning, by virtue of structural similarity to natural extracellular matrix (ECM), may represent promising structures for tissue engineering applications. Electrospun three-dimensional NFSs are characterized by high porosity with a wide distribution of pore diameter, high-surface area to volume ratio and morphological similarities to natural collagen fibrils (Li WJ, et al. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 2002; 60:613-21). These physical characteristics promote favorable biological responses of seeded cells in vitro and in vivo, including enhanced cell attachment, proliferation, maintenance of the chondrocytic phenotype (Li WJ, et al. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 2003; 67A: 1105-14), and support of chondrogenic differentiation (Li WJ, et al. Biomaterials 2005; 26:599-609) as well as other connective tissue linage differentiation (Li WJ, et al. Biomaterials 2005; 26:5158-5166). The invention based on cell-nanofiber composite represents a candidate engineered tissue for cell-based approaches to cartilage repair.
Application: Cartilage repair and methods for making tissue-engineered cartilage.
Developmental Status: Electrospinning method is fully developed and cartilage has been synthesized.
Inventors: Wan-Ju Li and Rocky Tuan (NIAMS).
Publications: The invention is further described in:
1. W-J Li, et al. Engineering controllable anisotropy in electrospun biodegradable nanofibrous scaffolds for musculoskeletal tissue engineering. J Biomech. 2007;40(8):1686-1693.
2. W-J Li, et al. Fabrication and characterization of six electrospun poly(alpha-hydroxy ester)-based fibrous scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. Acta Biomater. 2006 Jul;2(4):377-385.
3. CK Kuo, et al. Cartilage tissue engineering: its potential and uses. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2006 Jan;18(1):64-73. Review.
4. W-J Li, et al. Multilineage differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in a three-dimensional nanofibrous scaffold. Biomaterials. 2005 Sep;26(25):5158-5166.
Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/690,998 filed 15 Jun 2005 (HHS Reference No. E-116-2005/0-US-01); PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/0237477 filed 15 Jun 2006 (HHS Reference No. E-116-2005/0-PCT-02)
Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.
Licensing Contact: Peter A. Soukas, J.D.; 301/435-4646; soukasp@mail.nih.gov.
Methods for Preparing Complex Multivalent Immunogenic Conjugates
Description of Invention: Claimed in this application are novel methods for preparing complex multivalent immunogenic conjugates and conjugate vaccines. The multivalent conjugates and conjugate vaccines are synthesized by conjugating mixtures of more than one polysaccharide at a desired ratio of the component polysaccharides to at least one carrier protein using hydrazide chemistry. Because of the high efficiency of hydrazide chemistry in conjugation, the polysaccharides are effectively conjugated to the carrier protein(s) so that the resulting complex synthesized vaccine conjugate products, without requiring tedious and complicated purification procedures such as chromatography and/or ammonium sulfate precipitation, are efficacious in inducing antibodies in mice against each component polysaccharide. The methods claimed in this application simplify the preparation of multivalent conjugate vaccines by utilizing simultaneous conjugation reactions in a single reaction mixture or batch that includes at least two immunogenic-distinct polysaccharides. This single-batch simultaneous reaction eliminates the need for multiple parallel synthesis processes for each polysaccharide vaccine conjugate component as employed in conventional methods for making multivalent conjugate vaccines.
Application: Cost effective and efficient manufacturing of conjugate vaccines.
Inventors: Che-Hung Robert Lee (CBER/FDA)
Patent Status: PCT Application No. PCT/US2007/006627 filed 16 Mar 2007 (HHS Reference No. E-085-2005/0-PCT-02).
Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing. The technology is not available for licensing in the field of use of multivalent meningitis vaccines.
Licensing Contact: Peter A. Soukas, J.D.; 301/435-4646; soukasp@mail.nih.gov .
Bioreactor Device and Method and System for Fabricating Tissue
Description of Invention: Available for licensing and commercial development is a millifluidic bioreactor system for culturing, testing, and fabricating natural or engineered cells and tissues. The system consists of a millifluidic bioreactor device and methods for sample culture. Biologic samples that can be utilized include cells, scaffolds, tissue explants, and organoids. The system is microchip controlled and can be operated in closed-loop, providing controlled delivery of medium and biofactors in a sterile temperature regulated environment under tabletop or incubator use. Sample perfusion can be applied periodically or continuously, in a bidirectional or unidirectional manner, and medium re-circulated.
Advantages: The device is small in size, and of conventional culture plate format.
Provides the ability to grow larger biologic samples than microfluidic systems, while utilizing smaller medium volumes than conventional bioreactors. The bioreactor culture chamber is adapted to contain sample volumes on a milliliter scale (10 [mu]L to 1 mL, with a preferred size of 100 [mu]L), significantly larger than chamber volumes in microfluidic systems (on the order of 1 [mu]L). Typical microfluidic systems are designed to culture cells and not larger tissue samples.
The integrated medium reservoirs and bioreactor chamber design provide for, (1) concentration of biofactors produced by the biologic sample, and (2) the use of smaller amounts of exogenous biofactor supplements in the culture medium. The local medium volume (within the vicinity of the sample) is less than twice the sample volume. The total medium volume utilized is small, preferably 2 ml, significantly smaller than conventional bioreactors (typically using 500-1,000 mL).
Provides for real-time monitoring of sample growth and function in response to stimuli via an optical port and embedded sensors. The optical port provides for microscopy and spectroscopy measurements using transmitted, reflected, or emitted (e.g., fluorescent, chemiluminescent) light. The embedded sensors provide for measurement of culture fluid pressure and sample pH, oxygen tension, and temperature.
Capable of providing external stimulation to the biologic sample, including mechanical forces (e.g. fluid shear, hydrostatic pressure, matrix compression, microgravity via clinorotation), electrical fields (e.g., AC currents), and biofactors (e.g., growth factors, cytokines) while monitoring their effect in real-time via the embedded sensors, optical port, and medium sampling port.
Monitoring of biologic sample response to external stimulation can be performed non-invasively and non-destructively through the embedded sensors, optical port, and medium sampling port. Testing of tissue mechanical and electrical properties (e.g., stiffness, permeability, loss modulus via stress or creep test, electrical impedance) can be performed over time without removing the sample from the bioreactor device.
The bioreactor sample chamber can be constructed with multiple levels fed via separate perfusion circuits, facilitating the growth and production of multiphasic tissues.
Application: Cartilage repair and methods for making tissue-engineered cartilage.
Development Stage: Electrospinning method is fully developed and cartilage has been synthesized.
Inventors: Juan M. Taboas (NIAMS), Rocky S. Tuan (NIAMS), et al.
Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/701,186 filed 20 Jul 2005 (HHS Reference No. E-042-2005/0-US-01); PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/028417 filed 20 Jul 2006, which published as WO 2007/012071 on 25 Jan 2007 (HHS Reference No. E-042-2005/0-PCT-02)
Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.
Licensing Contact: Peter A. Soukas, J.D.; 301/435-4646; soukasp@mail.nih.gov .
Monoclonal Antibodies Against Orthopoxviruses
Description of Invention: Concerns that variola (smallpox) virus might be used as a biological weapon have led to the recommendation of widespread vaccination with vaccinia virus. While vaccination is generally safe and effective for prevention of smallpox, it is well documented that various adverse reactions in individuals have been caused by vaccination with existing licensed vaccines. Vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) prepared from vaccinated humans has historically been used to treat adverse reactions arising from vaccinia immunization. However, VIG lots may have different potencies and carry the potential to transmit other viral agents.
Chimpanzee Fabs against the B5 and A33 outer extracellular membrane proteins of vaccinia virus were isolated and converted into complete mAbs with human gamma1 heavy chain constant regions. The two mAbs displayed high binding affinities to B5 and A33. The mAbs inhibited the spread of vaccinia virus as well as variola virus (the causative agent of smallpox) in vitro , protected mice from subsequent intranasal challenge with virulent vaccinia virus, protected mice when administered 2 days after challenge, and provided significantly greater protection than that afforded by VIG.
Application: Prophylactics or therapeutics against orthopoxviruses.
Developmental Status: Preclinical studies have been performed.
Inventors: Zhaochun Chen, Robert Purcell, Suzanne Emerson, Patricia Earl, Bernard Moss (NIAID).
Publications:
1. Z Chen, et al. Chimpanzee/human mAbs to vaccinia virus B5 protein neutralize vaccinia and smallpox viruses and protect mice against vaccinia virus. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2006 Feb 7;103(6):1882-1887. Epub 2006 Jan 25.
2. Z Chen, et al. Characterization of chimpanzee/human monoclonal antibodies to the vaccinia A33 glycoprotein and its variola virus homolog in vitro and in a vaccinia mouse protection model. J Virol. 2007 Jun 20; Epub ahead of print, doi 10.1128/JVI.00906-07.
Patent Status: PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2006/048832 filed 22 Dec 2006 (HHS Reference No. E-145-2004/3-PCT-01); PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2006/048833 filed 22 Dec 2006 (HHS Reference No. E-145-2004/4-PCT-01)
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 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize Chimpanzee/human neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against orthopoxviruses. Please contact Dr. Robert Purcell at 301-496 5090 for more information.
A Method With Increased Yield for Production of Polysaccharide-Protein Conjugate Vaccines Using Hydrazide Chemistry
Description of Invention: Current methods for synthesis and manufacturing of polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines employ conjugation reactions with low efficiency (about twenty percent). This means that up to eighty percent of the added activated polysaccharide (PS) is lost. In addition, inclusion of a chromatographic process for purification of the conjugates from unconjugated PS is required.
The present invention utilizes the characteristic chemical property of hydrazide groups on one reactant to react with aldehyde groups or cyanate esters on the other reactant with an improved conjugate yield of at least sixty percent. With this conjugation efficiency the leftover unconjugated protein and polysaccharide would not need to be removed and thus the purification process of the conjugate product can be limited to diafiltration to remove the by-products of small molecules. The new conjugation reaction can be carried out within one or two days with reactant concentrations between 1 and 25 mg/mL at PS/protein ratios from 1:2 to 3:1, at temperatures between 4 and 40 degrees Centigrade, and in a pH range of 5.5 to 7.4, optimal conditions varying from PS to PS.
Application: Cost effective and efficient manufacturing of conjugate vaccines.
Inventors: Che-Hung Robert Lee and Carl E. Frasch (CBER/FDA)
Patent Status: U.S. Patent Application No. 10/566,899 filed 01 Feb 2006, claiming priority to 06 Aug 2003 (HHS Reference No. E-301-2003/0-US-10); U.S. Patent Application No. 10/566,898 filed 01 Feb 2006, claiming priority to 06 Aug 2003 (HHS Reference No. E-301-2003/1-US-02); International rights available.
Licensing Status: Available for non-exclusive licensing.
Licensing Contact: Peter A. Soukas, J.D.; 301/435-4646; soukasp@mail.nih.gov .
?PGA Conjugates for Eliciting Immune Responses Directed Against Bacillus anthracis and Other Bacilli
Description of Invention: This invention claims immunogenic conjugates of a poly-?-glutamic acid (?PGA) of B. anthracis , or of another bacillus that expresses a ?PGA that elicit a serum antibody response against B. anthracis , in mammalian hosts to which the conjugates are administered. The invention also relates methods which are useful for eliciting an immunogenic response in mammals, particularly humans, including responses which provide protection against, or reduce the severity of, infections caused by B. anthracis . The vaccines claimed in this application are intended for active immunization for prevention of B. anthracis infection, and for preparation of immune antibodies. The vaccines of this invention are designed to confer specific immunity against infection with B. anthracis , and to induce antibodies specific to B. anthracis ?PGA. The B. anthracis vaccine is composed of non-toxic bacterial components, suitable for infants, children of all ages, and adults.
Inventors: Rachel Schneerson (NICHD), Stephen Leppla (NIAID), John Robbins (NICHD), Joseph Shiloach (NIDDK), Joanna Kubler-Kielb (NICHD), Darrell Liu (NIDCR), Fathy Majadly (NICHD).
Publication: R Schneerson, et al. Poly (gamma-D-glutamic acid) protein conjugates induce IgG antibodies in mice to the capsule of Bacillus anthracis : a potential addition to the anthrax vaccine. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2003 Jul 22;100(15):8945-50.
Patent Status: U.S. Patent Application No. 10/559,825 filed 02 Dec 2005, claiming priority to 05 Jun 2003 (HHS Reference No. E-343-2002/0-US-04).
Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
Licensing Contact: Peter A. Soukas, J.D.; 301/435-4646; soukasp@mail.nih.gov .
Oligodeoxynucleotide and its Use To Induce an Immune Response
Description of Invention: This invention comprises oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) having at least 10 nucleotides with an unmethylated central CpG motif that are immunostimulatory in humans. The inventors have shown that the various ODNs of this invention (having different CpG motifs and backbones) induce immune responses from human non-B and B cells. The motif that stimulates non-B cells induces production and release of multiple T cell cytokines and chemokines; specifically, the Th1 cytokine IFN-gamma, which facilitates the development of a cytotoxic T cell response. In contrast, the motif that stimulates B cells induces production and release of various cytokines, including, but not limited to IL-6, which supports a Th2 antibody response. The inventors have generated in vitro and ex vivo data showing the ODNs of this invention have utility in precisely regulating the type and magnitude of the immune response in human cells. The present invention has multiple therapeutic uses, including but not limited to cancer, vaccine adjuvants, treating autoimmune disorders and immune system deficiencies, as well as an anti-infective agent and in combination with any antisense therapy.
Inventors: Dennis Klinman (FDA), Daniela Verthelyi (FDA), Kenji Ishii (NINDS).
Patent Status: U.S. Patent Application No. 11/595,211 filed 09 Nov 2006, claiming priority to 12 Apr 1999 (HHS Reference No. E-147-1999/0-US-05).
Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
Licensing Contact: Peter A. Soukas, J.D.; 301/435-4646; soukasp@mail.nih.gov .
A Method of Immunizing Humans Against Salmonella Typhi Using a Vi-rEPA Conjugate Vaccine
Description of Invention: This invention is a method of immunization against typhoid fever using a conjugate vaccine comprising the capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi , Vi, conjugated through an adipic dihydrazide linker to nontoxic recombinant exoprotein A (rEPA) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The three licensed vaccines against typhoid fever, attenuated S. typhi Ty21a, killed whole cell vaccines and Vi polysaccharide, have limited efficacy, in particular for children under 5 years of age, which make an improved vaccine desirable.
It is generally recognized that an effective vaccine against Salmonella typhi is one that increases serum anti-Vi IgG eight-fold six weeks after immunization. The conjugate vaccine of the invention increases anti-Vi IgG, 48-fold, 252-fold and 400-fold in adults, in 5-14 years-old and 2-4 years-old children, respectively. Thus this is a highly effective vaccine suitable for children and should find utility in endemic regions and as a traveler's vaccine. The route of administration can also be combined with routine immunization. In 2-5 years old, the protection against typhoid fever is 90% for 4 years. In school age children and in adults the protection could mount to completer protection according to the immunogenicity data.
Application: Immunization against Salmonella typhi for long term prevention of typhoid fever in all ages.
Developmental Status: Conjugates have been synthesized and clinical studies have been performed. The synthesis of the conjugates is described by Kossaczka, et al. in Infect Immun. 1997 June;65(7):2088-2093. Phase III clinical studies are described by Mai, et al. in N Engl J Med. 2003 October 2; 349(14):1390-1391. Dosage studies are described by Canh, et al. in Infect Immun. 2004 Nov; 72(11):6586-6588.
A safety and immunogenicity study in infants are under way. The aim is to administer the conjugate vaccine with routine infant immunization. Preliminary results shows the vaccine is safe in 2 months old infants.
Inventors: Zuzana Kossaczka, Shousun C. Szu, and John B. Robbins (NICHD).
Patent Status: U.S. Patent 6,797,275 issued 28 Sep 2004 (HHS Reference No. E-020-1999/0-US-02); U.S. Patent Application No. 10/866,343 filed 10 Jun 2004 (HHS Reference No. E-020-1999/0-US-03); U.S. Patent Application No. 11/726,304 filed 20 Mar 2007 (HHS Reference No. E-020-1999/0-US-04).
Licensing Status: Available for non-exclusive licensing.
Licensing Contact: Peter A. Soukas, J.D.; 301/435-4646; soukasp@mail.nih.gov .
Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Laboratory of Developmental and Molecular Immunity, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize A Method of Immunizing Humans Against Salmonella Typhi Using a Vi-rEPA Conjugate Vaccine. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D., at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information.
Dated: January 10, 2008.
Steven M. Ferguson,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. E8-1232 Filed 1-24-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P