Slashdot Mirror
Domain: myriad.com
Stories and comments across the archive that link to myriad.com.
Stories · 4
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US Court Sides With Gene Patents
ananyo writes "Gene patents have been upheld in a landmark case over two genes associated with hereditary forms of breast and ovarian cancer. The lawsuit against Myriad Genetics, a diagnostic company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, that holds patents on the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, has bounced from court to court since 2010. In a 2-1 decision today, a federal appeals court reaffirmed their latest decision that genes represent patent-eligible matter. As noted before on Slashdot, the case will have major implications for cancer researchers, patients and drug makers." -
British Columbia Bows To Breast Cancer Patent
dlek writes "Bowing to pressure from Utah's Myriad Genetics, the government of British Columbia has stopped offering a test for hereditary breast cancer. The price of the test, which looks at two genes responsible for the cancer, has tripled to $3500US. Our public health care system can't afford to pay so we're sending people to Ontario, which is ignoring the patent. People are disappointed we're not doing the same... previous Slashdot mentions are on their original claim and on the Curie Institute's challenge to the patent." -
Firm Claims Exclusive Right To Test Patented Genes
Tabercil writes: "Well, here's one for those who insist that human genes shouldn't be patented, as it seems to vindicate them. According to the Toronto Star, a U.S. firm (Myriad Genetics Laboratories) has patented two genes which lead to a greater likelihood of cancer. Now it's sending out cease and desist notices for other entities testing for the gene, insisting that only they can properly test for the gene." -
Curie Institute Challenges Patent On Breast Cancer
hysterion writes: "According to today's Libération, the Curie Institute is challenging a recent European patent which grants Utah's Myriad Genetics a de facto monopoly on genetic tests for breast cancer. The article (fish translation) quotes a Curie researcher: "Their patent is so vague that even using other techniques, one could be sued for infringement. (...) So European labs have to send all samples to Salt Lake City. This means that we risk losing our skills, our credits, and in the long term, any ability to do research. Meanwhile, Myriad overcharges 3.5 fold, and gets to build a nifty world wide database." The researchers complain about being prevented from improving the test so that it tracks a newly identified mutation."