Myriad Genetics Inc. has been awarded a pair of patents that cover antibodies to breast cancer and tumor-suppressor genes.
Myriad, based in Salt Lake City, has now been awarded a total of nine patents covering the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, the basis of Myriad's BRACAnalysis predictive medicine test for determination of hereditary predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer; and two patents covering the p15 gene, one of a family of three tumor-suppressor genes that share the same chromosomal region.
The new patents cover antibodies to the BRCA2 and p15 genes.
The therapeutic development rights for BRCA1 are licensed to Eli Lilly & Co., while the rights to BRCA2 have been retained by Myriad. Myriad has retained its rights to therapeutic and diagnostic development of the p15 gene.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is preparing to issue its final revised set of guidelines for the award of DNA patents. Myriad expects the new guidelines to set a stricter standard for patent allowance than was previously applied and will enhance the company's position in the marketplace.