News Releases

Maine Medical Center and USM Sign Agreement to Move Research Beyond the Lab

February 7, 2007

Maine Medical Center and the University of Southern Maine have signed an "Inter-Institutional Agreement," committing the two organizations to contribute to commercializing the result of their collaborative research. Although the result of their research, which could lead to new diagnostic tests for cancer, is still far from a commercial product, the agreement provides a legal framework for moving beyond the laboratory.

USM Professor of Immunology Ah-Kau Ng and Dr. Lucy Liaw of the Maine Medical Center Research Institute continue to conduct their research on osteopontin, a protein considered to be a biomarker of human cancers. So far the researchers have developed a series of monoclonal antibodies, which bind osteopontin, and may help to provide a prognosis for various types of human cancer. Earlier this year, the two completed a written description of their invention entitled "Monoclonal Antibodies Against Osteopontin." The description was used to file a patent application, which covers the technology.

Graduate students in USM's Department of Applied Medical Sciences participated in the research. Applied Medical Sciences focuses on the study of immunology, molecular biology, genetics, toxicology, and epidemiology. The curriculum is offered in collaboration with the biotechnology industry, and with research organizations such as the Foundation for Blood Research and the Maine Medical Center Research Institute.

"This agreement marks the first time MMC and USM have formed such a contract for the purpose of technology licensing," said Leonard Agneta, a registered patent attorney and director of the Maine Patent Program, which is housed in the University of Maine School of Law at USM. The Maine Legislature established the program to support economic development by helping Maine inventors identify and protect their intellectual property.

"This agreement is a milestone for USM, and demonstrates in tangible terms how collaborative research with partner organizations has the potential to lead to new economic and educational opportunities for Maine people," said USM President Richard L. Pattenaude.

"While commercial application of this knowledge may be well down the road, this is an important step," says MMC President and Chief Executive Officer Vincent S. Conti. "It advances both our partnership and our mission of improving health care."

The joint agreement provides that the invention will be administered and commercialized by Maine Medical Center on behalf of both parties. MMC is seeking qualified licensees. To date, there have been several discussions with potential commercial partners about developing particular applications of the technology.   

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