A Novel Treatment for Malarial Infections

The inventions described herein are antimalarial small molecule inhibitors of the plasmodial surface anion channel (PSAC), an essential nutrient acquisition ion channel expressed on human erythrocytes infected with malaria parasites. These inhibitors were discovered by high-throughput screening of chemical libraries and analysis of their ability to kill malaria parasites in culture. Two separate classes of inhibitors were found to work synergistically in combination against PSAC and killed malaria cultures at markedly lower concentrations than separately.

Transgenic Mice with Conditionally-Enhanced Bone Morphogen Protein (BMP) Signaling: A Model for Human Bone Diseases

This technology relates to novel animal models of several human bone diseases that have been linked to enhanced BMP signaling. More specifically, this mouse model expresses a mutant receptor for BMP, known as Alk2 that is always actively signaling. This receptor is under the control of the Cre-loxP system, which allows control of expression of the mutant Alk2 in both a developmental and tissue-specific manner. As a result, the enhanced signaling conditions exhibited in multiple human bone-related diseases can be studied with the same animals.

Therapeutic Methods Based on In Vivo Modulation of the Production of Interferon gamma

The technology offered for licensing is in the field of Therapeutics. More specifically, the technology relates to biological ligands and their use as modulators of the production of Interferon gamma as a means to treat a broad spectrum of diseases. The invention describes and claims antibodies and other ligands that can stimulate Natural Killer (NK) immune cells to produce Interferon gamma which contributes to the combat against foreign pathogens.

MDCK Cells with Enhanced Characteristics for Vaccine and Virus Production

This technology relates to compositions and methods for improving the growth characteristics of cells engineered to produce live viruses such as the Influenza virus. Featured is a method that uses the gene candidate, siat7e, or its expressed or inhibited products in Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells. The gene expression modulates anchorage-dependence of the cell line thereby allowing scale-up on bioreactor platforms without the use of microcarrier beads and reducing production costs.

Humanized Monoclonal Antibodies that Specifically Bind Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) and Their Use

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is the prototype virus of the Japanese encephalitis (JE) group belonging to the Flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family. Other members of the group include Kunjin virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, and West Nile encephalitis virus (WNV). JEV is widely distributed in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Asian Pacific Rim. In recent years, JE epidemics have spread to previously unaffected areas, such as northern Australia, Pakistan, India and Indonesia.

Cell Based Immunotherapy

The invention hereby offered for licensing is in the field of Immunotherapy and more specifically in therapy of autoimmune diseases such as Type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosis and immune mediated allergies such as asthma as well as in transplantation-related disorders, such as graft acceptance and graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD).

Mouse Monoclonal Antibodies to Human Tristetraprolin (TTP)

TTP has been implicated in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases through its role as a regulator of the transcripts encoding several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha. However, it has been difficult to study endogenous TTP in man and other animals because it is expressed at very low levels in most cells and tissues, and because of the lack of mouse monoclonal antibodies directed at the human protein.

Small Molecule Activators of Human Pyruvate Kinase for Treatment of Cancer and Enzyme-Deficient Hemolytic Anemia

NIH investigators have discovered a series of small compounds with the potential to treat a variety of cancers as well as hemolytic anemia. Contrary to most cancer medications, these molecules can be non-toxic to normal cells because they target a protein specific to the metabolic pathways in tumors, thus representing a significant clinical advantage over less-specific chemotherapeutics.

Genetic Mutations Associated with Stuttering

NIH investigators, for the first time, identified specific mutations associated with stuttering. These mutations are located within the genes encoding three enzymes, Glc-NAc phosphotransferase catalytic subunit [GNPTAB], Glc-NAc phosphotransferase recognition subunit [GNPTG], and N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphodiester alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase [NAGPA]. Together these constitute the pathway that targets lysosomal enzymes to their proper location.

PTH2 and PTH1 Receptor Ligands

Parathyroid hormone receptors found on osteoblasts in bone and renal tubule cells in kidney elevate blood calcium levels when stimulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related protein (PTHrP). Excessive secretion of PTH from the parathyroid gland results in primary hyperparathyroidism. Production of PTHrP by various tumors results in humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. In both of these conditions, excessive blood calcium levels lead to clinically significant morbidity. A parathyroid hormone antagonist could therefore have therapeutic value.