Notice2026-09292
Government Owned Inventions Available for License: Enhanced Tumor Reactivity of T Cells Lacking SIT1, LAX1 or TRAT1
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
May 11, 2026
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services DepartmentNational Institutes of Health
Abstract
The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is actively seeking potential licensees interested in further developing these inhibitory transmembrane adapter proteins as targets for T-cell immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 90 (Monday, May 11, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 90 (Monday, May 11, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25584-25585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09292]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Government Owned Inventions Available for License: Enhanced Tumor
Reactivity of T Cells Lacking SIT1, LAX1 or TRAT1
AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development (NICHD) is actively seeking potential licensees
interested in further developing these inhibitory transmembrane adapter
proteins as targets for T-cell immunotherapy for the treatment of
[[Page 25585]]
cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Inquiries related to this license
opportunity should be directed to: Nikki Guyton, Ph.D., Unit
Supervisor, NCI, Technology Transfer Center, Email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6703061506040c09270a060e0b49090e0f49000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9afefbe8fbf9f1f4daf7fbf3f6b4f4f3f2b4fdf5ec">[email protected]</span></a> or Phone: 240-276-5493.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Cellular immunotherapy holds much promise
for the treatment of cancer. However, certain cellular therapies have
limited success because of immunosuppression in the tumor
microenvironment. Thus, there is an unmet need for improved methods of
cellular immunotherapy.
T cells constitutively express inhibitory molecules that limit the
activation response to antigens by the T cell antigen receptor (TCR).
Among these are the transmembrane adapter proteins SIT1, LAX 1 and TRA
T1. These appear to tonically associate with the TCR and inhibit signal
transduction. Researchers at the NICHD have identified SIT1, LAX 1 and
TRA T1 as potential targets for T-cell immunotherapy. Mouse models have
demonstrated that deletion of SIT1, LAX1 and TRA T1--or expression of
nonfunctional mutant versions of these proteins in mouse T cells--
enhances TCR signaling and significantly increases T cell cytotoxicity
against tumor cells. Experiments confirming these results in human T
cells are currently underway. This discovery provides a new therapeutic
approach to greatly improve clinical outcomes of T-cell immunotherapy
in treating cancers. It also holds potential to treat infectious
diseases or autoimmune diseases.
This Notice is in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR part 404
and the intellectual property rights have been assigned to the
Government of the United States of America.
NIH Reference Number: E-004-2024.
Product Type: Therapeutic.
Therapeutic Area(s): Oncology [verbar] Immunology.
Potential Commercial Applications:
<bullet> Treatment for cancer.
<bullet> Treatment for infectious diseases.
<bullet> Treatment for autoimmune diseases.
Competitive Advantages:
<bullet> Potentially superior therapeutic benefit in cancer by:
[cir] Enhancing tumoricidal activity of T-cell immunotherapy.
[cir] Overcoming immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment.
<bullet> Potentially superior therapeutic benefit in infectious
diseases by enhancing immune responses to pathogens.
<bullet> Potentially superior therapeutic benefit in autoimmune
disease by enhancing the generation or function of antigen-specific
regulator T cells (Tregs).
Patent Status: A PCT application was filed on January 24, 2025.
Development Stage: Pre-clinical (in vivo validation).
Collaboration Opportunity: Researchers at the NICHD seek licensing
for further developing these inhibitory transmembrane adapter proteins
as targets for T-cell immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer,
infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases.
Dated: May 6, 2026.
Richard U. Rodriguez,
Associate Director, Technology Transfer Center, National Cancer
Institute.
[FR Doc. 2026-09292 Filed 5-8-26; 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 May 11, 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.