Notice2026-07770
Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 22, 2026
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services DepartmentNational Institutes of Health
Abstract
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), an institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is giving notice of the invention listed below, which is owned by an agency of the U.S. Government and is available for licensing 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.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 77 (Wednesday, April 22, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 77 (Wednesday, April 22, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 21509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07770]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing
AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
(NIAID), an institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is giving notice of the
invention listed below, which is owned by an agency of the U.S.
Government and is available for licensing 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Inquiries related to this licensing
opportunity should be directed to: Brian Bailey at 240-669-5128, or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#660404070f0a031f260b070f0a48080f0e48010910"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1f7d7d7e76737a665f727e76733171767731787069">[email protected]</span></a>. Licensing information may be obtained by
communicating with the Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property
Office, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 5601
Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852: tel. 301-496-2644. A signed
Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be required to receive copies of
unpublished information related to the invention.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Technology description follows:
Neutralizing Antibodies Against West Nile Virus
Description of Technology:
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause
severe disease affecting the brain and nervous system, especially in
older adults and people with weakened immune systems. There is no
approved human vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for WNV.
Researchers at NIAID's Vaccine Research Center (VRC), together with
collaborators at Sheba Medical Center and the Israeli Ministry of
Health, have identified and characterized seven new fully human
monoclonal antibodies that bind to the WNV envelope (E) protein--the
main surface protein the virus uses to enter cells. In laboratory
studies, these antibodies (AIS-196, AIS-204, AIS-259, AIS-260, AIS-261,
AIS-262, and AIS-265) strongly blocked WNV infection, and several also
showed protective effects in a mouse model.
The invention includes the antibody sequences and tools needed to
produce them, supporting development of full-length antibody therapies
or smaller antibody fragments. These antibodies could help prevent WNV
disease in people at higher risk or treat infection early, either
individually or in combination. Modified versions are also included
that may extend how long the antibodies remain active in the body or
adjust how they interact with the immune system. The antibodies may
also be useful in laboratory tests for WNV diagnosis, surveillance, and
research.
This technology is available for licensing for commercial
development in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR part 404, as
well as for further development and evaluation under a research
collaboration.
Potential Commercial Applications:
<bullet> Prevention or treatment antibodies for WNV, especially for
people at higher risk of severe disease or after a known exposure.
<bullet> Fully human antibodies that strongly neutralize virus
infection by targeting its key surface E protein.
<bullet> Flexible formats for different uses, including full-length
antibodies or antibody fragments, and the option to use a single
antibody or a combination (``cocktail'').
<bullet> Engineered versions designed to last longer in the body
and tune immune functions for safety and performance.
<bullet> High-quality antibodies for WNV testing and surveillance,
supporting laboratory detection, public health monitoring, and
research.
<bullet> Neutralizing antibodies as components of delivery systems
for prophylactic or therapeutic applications.
Competitive Advantages:
<bullet> An antibody-based approach for WNV prevention or
treatment, given the lack of an approved human vaccine, specific
antiviral treatment, or licensed antibody therapy.
<bullet> Strong virus-neutralizing activity.
<bullet> Fully human antibodies, which are less likely to cause
anti-drug immune responses than non-human or humanized antibodies.
<bullet> Engineered versions that may last longer in the body and
tune immune activity to improve safety and effectiveness.
<bullet> High-quality antibodies that support WNV prevention or
treatment and can also be used in diagnostic tests, public health
surveillance, and research.
Development Stage:
<bullet> Pre-Clinical
Inventors: Dr. Theodore Pierson, Dr. Kimberly Dowd, and Dr. Daniel
Douek, all of NIAID; Dr. Dror Harats, Dr. Yael Ottolenghi, and Dr. Gili
Regev-Yochay, all of Sheba Impact Ltd.; Dr. Yaniv Lustig, of Sheba
Impact Ltd. and Ministry of Health, State of Israel.
Intellectual Property: HHS Reference No. E-021-2026-0. Provisional
Patent Application No. 63/991,485, filed on February 26, 2026.
Licensing Contact: To license this technology, please contact Brian
Bailey at 240-669-5128, or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f49696959d98918db499959d98da9a9d9cda939b82"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="056767646c69607c4568646c692b6b6c6d2b626a73">[email protected]</span></a>, and reference E-021-
2026-0.
Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases is seeking statements of capability or
interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further
develop, evaluate, or commercialize this technology. For collaboration
opportunities, please contact Brian Bailey at 240-669-5128, or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6a08080b03060f132a070b030644040302440d051c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bedcdcdfd7d2dbc7fed3dfd7d290d0d7d690d9d1c8">[email protected]</span></a>.
Dated: April 17, 2026.
Surekha Vathyam,
Director, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Office,
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
[FR Doc. 2026-07770 Filed 4-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4167-05-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 22, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.