Polypeptides for Stimulation of Immune Response (Adjuvants)

HMGN polypeptides belong to the high mobility group (HMG) family of chromosomal binding peptides. HMGN polypeptides typically function inside the cell nucleus to bind to DNA and nucleosomes and regulate the transcription of various genes. HMGN polypeptides also can be released by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However, the extracellular release of a HMGN polypeptide initiates activation of the immune system. Therefore, it has potential use as a biological therapeutic for stimulating an immune response.

Fatty Acid Derivatives and Their Use for the Treatment and Prevention of Autoimmune, Inflammatory, and Pain Disorders

The discovery and selection of suitable compounds for the treatment and prevention of autoimmune, inflammatory, and pain disorders is a significant challenge. Researchers at National Institute of Aging (NIA) mitigated this issue. They discovered and synthesized numerous novel fatty acid derivatives (novel small molecules) that may ameliorate these conditions and provide treatment options for these disorders. In a relevant rat model, the fatty acid derivatives developed by NIA demonstrated:

Monomeric and Oligomeric Compounds as Contraceptives and Endocrine Therapeutics

The options for male contraceptives are limited. Research is ongoing to develop a male contraceptive based on hormonal activity. Testosterone is one of the hormones necessary in producing sperm.  Testosterone is absolutely required as a hormone for male fertility. Derivatives of testosterone for male contraceptives currently in clinical trials are associated with estrogenic deficiency. This deficiency can cause several issues including, but not limited to, bone density loss, risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and/or ineffective carbohydrate or lipid metabolism. 

Using FDA-approved Small Molecule Drug Reserpine and related compounds (especially Halofantrine) To Protect Photoreceptors In Inherited Retinal Degenerations And Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Summary: 
The National Eye Institute seeks research co-development partners and/or licensees for a therapy using an FDA-approved small molecule drug reserpine (and related compounds especially halofantrine) that prevents photoreceptor cell death in retinal degenerations.

Zinbryta® for Treatment of Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

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The 2017 Deals of Distinction™ Award was presented to National Institutes of Health, (NIH) along with its corporate partners, AbbVie and Biogen, for a license agreement related to the development and launch of Zinbryta® for treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS)   The award, one of the most prestigious for technology transfer, was given to NIH and its partners at the Licensing Executives Society Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

NIH Wins Licensing Executive Society Deals of Distinction Award for WHO C-TAP Partnership

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The NIH Technology Transfer Program has won the Licensing Executive Society’s Deals of Distinction award for 2022. The Deals of Distinction Award is given to an outstanding licensing deal from the past year. Steve Ferguson, Special Advisor at the NIH Office of Technology Transfer, recently attended the LES award ceremony to accept the award on NIH’s behalf. Continue reading to learn about this award-winning license agreement from Steve himself.

Dr. Ken Jacobson Wins E.B. Hershberg Award

ACS Chemistry for Life

The American Chemical Society (ACS) has awarded Kenneth Jacobson the E.B. Hershberg Award for Important Discoveries in Medicinally Active Substances. Jacobson is a Senior Investigator at the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Jacobson was selected for this award for his original and high-impact research in structure-based medicinal chemistry, including the discovery of G-protein receptor modulators in clinical trials.

Changing Lives in PASLI/APDS Patients, Disease Discovery and Treatment.

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THE PROBLEM: APDS (activated PI3 kinase delta syndrome) — also known as PASLI (p110 delta-activating mutation causing senescent T cells, lymphadenopathy and immunodeficiency) disease — is a rare disorder that severely impairs the immune system’s ability to fight bacterial and viral infections, making patients susceptible to severe and recurrent infections, lymphoma, autoimmune diseases and other health issues. This disease is estimated to affect up to two people per million, and it can only be cured via bone marrow transplant.

COVID-19 Technologies Licensed Globally Through WHO Program Win LES Deals of Distinction Award

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NIAID TTIPO’s extraordinary efforts in “COVID-19 Technologies Licensed Globally Through WHO Program” was recognized by the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. & Canada) in 2022 with a Deals of Distinction Award in the Industry-University-Government Interface Sector. This award acknowledged the collaborative efforts put forth by the WHO, Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) and the NIH for COVID-19 technologies licensed globally through the WHO program.

Avelumab, New Therapy for Metastatic Merkel Cell and Urothelial Carcinomas

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Through a CRADA with EMD Serono, NCI played an instrumental role in developing and 
expediting regulatory approval of EMD Serono’s checkpoint inhibitor, avelumab. Avelumab 
received FDA approval in 2017, only four years after EMD Serono and NCI added the study of 
avelumab to their CRADA. This was a remarkably fast developmental and regulatory approval 
timeline.

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