DEVELOPMENT OF REAL-TIME INTRAOPERATIVE MAGNETIC RESONANCE (MR) IMPLANT GUIDANCE AND DOSIMETRY COMBINED WITH INTRAMAGNET HIGH DOSE RATE (HDR) BRACHYTHERAPY FOR PATIENTS WITH CANCER.

Notice Date

September 18, 2001

Contracting Office

NIH/TDCB, 6120 Executive Blvd., Suite 450, Rockville, MD 20852

ZIP Code

20852

E-Mail Address

click here to contact technology transfer specialist (pipiag@mail.nih.com)

Description

National Cancer Institute Technology Transfer Branch CRADA Opportunity Announcement Development of real-time intraoperative Magnetic Resonance (MR) implant guidance and dosimetry combined with intramagnet High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy for patients with cancer. Summary: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is currently seeking a Collaborator for a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to work with investigators in the Radiation Oncology Sciences Program (ROSP) to develop state of the art real-time intraoperative MR implant guidance and dosimetry combined with intramagnet HDR brachytherapy for patients with cancer. Proposed NCI Contribution: The Clinical Center at the NIH is acquiring an intraoperative MR Imaging (MRI) device, to be utilized in part for ongoing research efforts in the ROSP. ROSP is studying critical changes in the molecular profiles (as determined by cDNA microarray techniques) of irradiated tissues, by acquiring biopsies under image guidance from patients undergoing radiotherapy. This effort may lead to the development of novel molecular therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, various biological MR techniques (including MRSI and dynamic MRI) are being developed and performed in concert. These biological images will complement the comprehensive image registration required for state of the art HDR brachytherapy. Providing real-time MRI during treatment may also lead to future methodological avenues in quality assurance. Proposed CRADA Collaborator Contribution: The Collaborator will use its biotechnological expertise, software development capability, and hardware resources to collaborate in this venture. Software integration of MR images, real-time needles guidance and dosimetry, and the development of an MR-compatible remote afterloading system will be instrumental to success of this project. Proposed Joint Contribution: NCI and the Collaborator will jointly design a CRADA research plan and will jointly interpret the data generated under the research plan. Selection Criteria for Choosing the CRADA Collaborator May Include: 1. A demonstrated background and expertise in HDR brachytherapy techniques. 2. A demonstrated record of success in the commercial development and production of products related to this area of technology. 3. The demonstration of adequate resources to assist in this venture and to perform the research and development necessary for commercialization of the resulting inventions. 4. The willingness to commit best effort and demonstrated resources to the research and development of MR guided and delivered HDR brachytherapy. 5. The level of financial and staffing support the CRADA Collaborator will provide for CRADA-related activities. 6. The willingness to cooperate with the NCI in the timely publication of research results. 7. The agreement to be bound by the appropriate Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regulations relating to human subject research and to all Public Health Service (PHS) policies relating to the use and care of laboratory animals. 8. The willingness to accept the legal provisions and language of the CRADA. These provisions govern the distribution of future patent rights to CRADA inventions. Generally, the rights of ownership are retained by the organization that is the employer of the inventor with (1) the grant of a license for research and other Government purposes to the Government when the CRADA Collaborator's employee is the sole inventor, or (2) the grant of an option to elect an exclusive or nonexclusive license to the CRADA Collaborator when the Government employee is the sole inventor. Response Procedure: Interested parties should notify the Technology Transfer Branch of the NCI in writing of their interest in the CRADA collaboration no later than 09/21/2001. The written notice should briefly address the selection criteria listed above. Contact Information: George G. Pipia, Ph.D. 6120 Executive Boulevard, Suite 450 Rockville, Maryland 20852 Phone: 301-496-0477 Fax: 301-402-2117

Web Link

click here to view the CRADA agreement (http://ttb.nci.nih.gov/crada.pdf)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010920/SPMSC002.HTM (W-261 SN50X9C8)