Myriad Genetics and its Future growth

 Myriad Genetics is an upcoming genetic company that recently been making heavy breakthroughs on research involving genome detecting diseases. Recently they have began to receive heavy funding which will allow them to make large headway into the research that they had planed but lacked funding to put into effect.  Being that they lead the research in hereditary cancer I hope myriad continues to gain support and funding to perhaps eventually find a cure for these seemingly hopeless diseases. 

Link 1:https://myriad.com

Link 2:https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/05/03/2221226/15459/en/Myriad-Genetics-to-Update-Progress-on-Transformation-Plan-and-Growth-Initiatives-Share-Long-Term-Financial-Outlook-at-2021-Investor-Day.html

Myriad Breast Cancer Gene Lawsuit

Myriad Genetics is a molecular diagnostic company that focuses mainly on the developing and marketing of predictive medicines, personalized medicine, and prognostic medicine tests. The Myriad Genetic Company uses the information they collect from their testing to help guide individuals toward which drug therapy they would respond best to. They help regulate the dosages of medicine to ensure optimal treatment and assess the likelihood of an individual to develop a disease, its progression, and its re-occurrence.

The Myriad Genetics Company has finally ended its patentdispute on breast cancer risk testing. Myriad Genetics Company was testing for mutations on two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2. The mutation of these genes have been linked to an increase risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. This testing caused the competitor companies to start making their own versions of the test only they made them cheaper. Myriads sued those companies and claimed that the competition was infringing on their patents.

Unfortunately, when brought to Judge Robert J. Shelby, he ruled against Myriads request. Later, the Federal Circuit agreed with the decision and ruled that human genes cannot be patented. The Myriad Company had to settle in court against the competitors, LabCorp, Invitae and Pathway Genomics, Ambry, GeneDx and Counsyl, and Quest Diagnostics. The agreement was that Myriad would not sue the other companies for the patent of the test on BRCA1 and BRCA2, as long of the other companies dropped their counter-suits against Myriad.

I think this test is needed especially in times like these where cancer is prevalent and can happen in a blink of an eye. As someone who has a family history of breast cancer, I think it would be beneficial to have a test that can determine the chance of me or any family member developing cancer. For the court to deny (rule against) Myriad’s claim, was an unfair decision.  They created the testing first and the competitors took their idea and made it cheaper, so they could get more patients and in turn more money.

Patents Prove to be More Dangerous than Useful

There have been debates recently over whether or not gene patents could be helping or harming the medical industry. Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy conducted a study which analyzed multiple cases in which gene patents were not useful. A main example of this was the recent discovery and patent of the gene BRCA1 and BRCA2 by University of Utah who licensed the genes to Myriad Genetics. This gene is especially prevalent in breast cancer patients, and the study of it could lead to more knowledge about this sort of cancer. However, instead of releasing the information about the gene, a patent was placed on it so that Myriad could make money through their information gathered from this gene. This specific case was challenged in court and the federal judge ruled against the patenting of genes because they are not manmade, but rather a product of nature. Many major genetic corporations combat this idea through arguing the vigorous amount of work that is placed into translating the DNA and altering it so that it may be understood by researchers.

There is without a doubt a major business to be made of the millions of genes that are both known and unknown. Each gene that is discovered can bring more knowledge to the field of genetics as well as the entire medical community. As more genes are discovered, more diseases are able to be understood. However, if the genes are being hidden in order to make a business out of human illness, these breakthroughs will not be able to occur. In the end, it becomes a question of whether the researcher is studying the gene to better mankind, or to better the size of his or her paycheck. 

http://cenblog.org/the-haystack/2010/04/duke-study-says-gene-patents-harm-innovation/

Patenting Human Genes?

Are human genes patentable?  That is the big question that the United States Supreme Court is faced with answering.  According to Science Daily, oral arguments are beginning today on just that exact subject.  The court case is known as Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad. 

Back in the early '90s, Myriad Genetics made important scientific discoveries regarding two genes.  These discoveries were related to mutations found in genes BRCA 1 and BRCA 2.  These genes act as biomarkers for an increased risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.  Because the DNA molecules that embodied these sequences were "isolated," Myraid sought and obtained a patent over them.  Now, the validity of that patent being issued in the first place is in question.

The "Products of Nature" doctrine prevents the patenting of newly made products that do not display a "marked difference" from naturally occurring products.  The argument being issued is that because these DNA sequences were isolated, they are able to be patented and the current patents are in fact, valid.  However, it has been demonstrated many times throughout history that life cannot be patented or owned by any single individual or corporation and what are genes if not the basis of life?

Because the Supreme Court has not to date clearly offered a framework for identifying products of nature, it is difficult to predict the ruling in this case.  However, one can only imagine what the consequences could be if people become able to patent human genes.  The entire field of genetics could be decimated with the slam of a gavel.