Zombie Virus in Your DNA? NIH's Cancer Vaccine Invention Awaits License
Published Date: 2/20/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Cancer Institute is offering a new cancer-fighting invention for licensing. This invention uses a special protein from an ancient virus in our DNA to create vaccines that help the immune system attack certain cancers without harming healthy cells. Researchers and companies interested in developing this promising treatment can now partner up to bring it to patients faster.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
NCI Offering ERVMER34-1 License
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is offering a government-owned invention (NIH Reference Number E-159-2019-0) for licensing and seeks research co-development partners to translate peptide-based therapeutic cancer vaccines derived from ERVMER34-1. The technology is in pre-clinical (in vivo) development and the notice invites researchers and companies to pursue licensing or collaboration.
Preclinical Results Suggest Broad Tumor Targeting
NCI researchers report that the ERVMER34-1 vaccine platform shows tumor-selective expression across about 62% of carcinomas and achieved approximately 89% tumor clearance in established large tumors in mouse models when combined with checkpoint inhibitors. These results are pre-clinical (in vivo) and support development of peptide- or vector-based therapeutic cancer vaccines and adoptive T cell therapies.
Patent Filings Protect Commercial Rights Globally
Patent applications for this invention are pending in multiple jurisdictions, including the US (US application 17/793,753 filed 2022-07-19), Europe, Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong, indicating intellectual property protection is being pursued for commercial development. Interested licensees should note the international pending patent status when evaluating licensing and commercialization strategies.
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