Notice2026-09808
Government Owned Inventions Available for License: Synergistic Interactions for Improved Cancer Treatment
Primary source
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Published
May 15, 2026
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services DepartmentNational Institutes of Health
Abstract
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) seeks research co- development partners and/or licensees to develop hetIL-15 in combination with other agents, such as PPARa agonists (Fenofibrate), FLT3 inhibitors (quizartinib), IL-12, or chemotherapy into a therapeutic for cancer.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 94 (Friday, May 15, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27968-27969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09808]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Government Owned Inventions Available for License: Synergistic
Interactions for Improved Cancer Treatment
AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) seeks research co-
development partners and/or licensees to develop hetIL-15 in
combination with other agents, such as PPARa agonists (Fenofibrate),
FLT3 inhibitors (quizartinib), IL-12, or chemotherapy into a
therapeutic for cancer.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Inquiries related to this license
opportunity should be directed to: Rose Freel, Ph.D., Unit Supervisor,
NCI, Technology Transfer Center, Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1e6c716d7b30786c7b7b725e70777630797168"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="493b263a2c672f3b2c2c2509272021672e263f">[email protected]</span></a> or Phone:
301-624-1257.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising
treatment strategy for many types of cancer. However, a major challenge
is ``exhausted'' tumor-infiltrating immune cells, which lose their
ability to effectively eliminate cancer cells. To address this issue,
researchers are exploring ways to reverse immune exhaustion and improve
treatment outcomes. One potential approach involves interleukin-15 (IL-
15), a cytokine that promotes the growth and killing ability of tumor-
specific CD8+ T cells and NK cells. IL-15, either alone or in
combination with other agents, has shown some promise in clinical
trials. However, its use is hindered by toxicity at effective doses.
Therefore, there is a critical need for safer and more effective
combinations to improve patient outcomes.
Inventors at the NCI previously developed heterodimeric IL-15
(hetIL-15), composed of IL-15 and IL-15 receptor alpha (NIH Reference
#E-254-2005, E-257-2009, E-141-2008, E-054-2013, and E-070-2015). The
inventors now demonstrate novel combinations of hetIL-15 with other
active agents to enhance the metabolic fitness of intratumoral
lymphocytes to provide therapeutic improvement. Specifically, the
combination of hetIL-15 and Fenofibrate, a cholesterol-lowering drug,
increased cytotoxic T cell activity and provided an almost complete
eradication of triple negative breast cancer tumors, including
metastatic lesions. Similar results occurred in a mouse pancreatic
cancer model. Using a mouse orthotopic breast cancer model, hetIL-15
combined with quizartinib--a potent Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (Flt3)
inhibitor--resulted in a significant tumor growth delay and complete
eradication of tumors in 50% of mice after 16 days of treatment.
Additionally, the inventors constructed a fusion protein of IL-15 and
IL-12 that controls metastatic disease in a mouse melanoma model. These
novel combinations would be particularly useful for the treatment of
triple negative breast or pancreatic cancer.
This Notice is in accordance with 37 CFR 404.4--Authority to grant
licenses.
NIH Reference Number: E-174-2022.
Product Type: Therapeutic.
Therapeutic Area(s): Oncology [verbar] Immunology.
Potential Commercial Applications:
<bullet> Treatment for triple negative breast cancer.
<bullet> Treatment for pancreatic cancer.
<bullet> Treatment of solid tumors for which cellular immunotherapy
outcomes are diminished due to T or NK cell exhaustion.
<bullet> Treatment of solid tumors for which IL-15-based therapy is
diminished due to toxicity at clinically relevant doses.
Competitive Advantages:
<bullet> Novel combination showing improved therapeutic potential
in
[[Page 27969]]
several solid cancers, including breast cancer and melanoma.
<bullet> Combination of hetIL-15 with agents already approved
(Fenofibrate, Flt-3) decreases regulatory risk and thus expedites
commercialization.
<bullet> Overcoming IL-15 toxicity at clinically relevant doses.
Dated: May 13, 2026.
Richard U. Rodriguez,
Associate Director, Technology Transfer Center, National Cancer
Institute.
[FR Doc. 2026-09808 Filed 5-14-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4167-05-P
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