Government Hands 'Cell-Zapper' Electrodes to Foreign Company
Published Date: 4/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases plans to give Cambridge Enterprise Limited an exclusive license to use a cool new technology that helps position and zap cells with special electrodes. This deal aims to speed up turning this invention into real products. If you want to comment or apply for a license, you’ve got until May 2, 2025, so don’t miss out!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Exclusive Patent License Proposed
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is contemplating an exclusive, sublicensable patent license to Cambridge Enterprise Limited covering European Patent Application No. EP23386021.2 (filed March 10, 2023) and PCT Application No. PCT/EP2024/056247 (filed March 8, 2024) titled "Conductive Polymer Coated Electrodes for Dielectrophoretic Cell Positioning and Electroporation." The notice says the license will be exclusive and may be limited to fields of use commensurate with the patent rights, which means other companies could be excluded from commercially using these patented inventions.
License Will Be Royalty-Bearing
The prospective exclusive patent license is described as royalty-bearing. That means the licensee and any sublicensees would be required to pay royalties to the Government under the terms of the license.
Opportunity To Apply or Comment by May 2, 2025
You can submit a written license application or comments to NIAID; written comments and/or license applications must be received on or before May 2, 2025 to be considered. The notice also states that the Institute will consider written evidence and argument that the license would not meet legal requirements if submitted within fifteen (15) days from the date of the published notice.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-20771, Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings
The Center for Scientific Review at the NIH is holding several closed virtual meetings in early November 2026 to review and evaluate grant applications. These meetings protect private info and trade secrets, affecting researchers seeking funding. No direct money changes are announced, but these reviews decide who gets research grants.
2026-20705, Prospective Grant of Exclusive License, Inter-Institutional Agreement-Institution Lead: Antibody Specifically Binding to Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus Antigen and Use Thereof
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases plans to give Korea National Institute of Health an exclusive license to develop and sell a special antibody that targets a dangerous virus causing severe fever and low platelets. This deal helps speed up turning the invention into real-world treatments. Comments or license requests must be sent by October 26, 2026.
2026-20424, National Cancer Institute; Notice of Meeting
The President's Cancer Panel is holding a free virtual meeting on October 15, 2026, to talk about how GLP-1 medications can help lower cancer risks linked to obesity. Anyone interested can join online or send in comments beforehand. This meeting is a great chance for patients, doctors, and researchers to learn about new ways to fight cancer and improve health.
2026-20365, Center For Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings
The NIH's Center for Scientific Review is holding several closed virtual meetings on October 29-30, 2026, to review and evaluate grant applications. These meetings protect private info and trade secrets while deciding which research projects get funding. Scientists applying for grants in areas like biochemistry, software engineering, and mental health will be affected, with no direct money changes announced but important decisions coming soon.
2026-20151, Notice of NIH Tribal Consultations and Listening Session
The NIH is inviting Tribal leaders and members to join two important meetings and a listening session during the National Congress of American Indians Annual Convention in October 2026. They’ll talk about new health research projects, renewing support for Tribal health centers, and shaping a new Tribal Data Sovereignty Policy. Tribes can also send their thoughts by November 20, 2026, helping shape future health programs and policies.
2026-19719, Center for Scientific Review; Amended Notice of Meeting
The NIH’s Center for Scientific Review is shortening a key meeting from two days to just one day on October 13, 2026, keeping the same 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. hours. This change affects members of the Surgical Sciences and Bioengineering review group and means less time in the room but no public access. No money changes or delays are expected—just a quicker, tighter meeting!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-06575, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 45, Notification of Proposed Production Activity, SSI Shredding Systems, Inc., (Industrial Shredders and Compactors), Wilsonville and Portland, Oregon
SSI Shredding Systems wants to make industrial shredders and compactors at their Oregon plants using some imported parts with special trade benefits. This move helps them save on import duties and speeds up production, affecting their Wilsonville and Portland sites. The plan was officially filed on April 11, 2025, and awaits approval to kick off these cost-saving changes.
Next: 2025-06577, Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action
The U.S. Treasury’s OFAC just added new people to its blacklist, meaning their U.S.-based money and property are frozen. Americans can’t do business with these folks anymore, starting April 9, 2025. This move aims to stop bad actors from using the U.S. financial system and sends a clear message: no funny business allowed!