gene patents

Almost half of all patents relating to the genes of marine organisms belong to one large international corporation, BASF, a new study reveals.  

A petition recently filed with the Supreme Court triggers renewed debate about the role of patents in the diagnostics sector.

David Schwartz of the Illinois Institute of Technology-Chicago, Kent College of Law, discusses the impact of the US Supreme Court unanimously striking down Myriad Genetics' patent of human BRCA genes and tests to detect mutations in them.

Celebrating lab techs; Myriad settles suits; publish in top-tier journals or perish

The Federal Court of Australia rejected an appeal of a ruling that allows companies to patent isolated human genes.

The USPTO offers guidance to its patent examiners on how to interpret the Supreme Court’s rulings in the recent Myriad and Prometheus cases.

Kerry Grens looks back at the biggest science stories in 2013

23andMe denies that its new patent will be used to help couples create designer babies based on personal genetic testing.

August 2013's selection of notable quotes

Myriad Genetics, the company originally behind tests for the cancer-associated BRCA mutations, is suing two competitors for patent infringement.

A vacation from your lab doesn’t have to mean a break from fascinating developments on the life science front.

Meet some of the people featured in the July 2013 issue of The Scientist.

On the gene patent decision; a high-res human brain model; bats’ influence on moths mating calls; toxicants threaten brain health; platelet-driven immunity

Last week’s Supreme Court decision to invalidate patents on human genes was a win for patients, independent researchers, and even the wider biotech industry.

The scientific community and the impact of the Myriad Genetics Supreme Court decision

The Justices have decided that isolated sequences of human DNA are not eligible for patent protection, but rules that artificial sequences can be patented.
 

A decision will not be reached until later in the year, but the United States’ top justices appear to be inclined to rule against the validity of patenting human genes.

The Supreme Court agrees to hear a case deciding if two cancer genes should continue to be protected by patent.

Myriad Genetics can hold patents on the BRAC1 and BRAC2 oncogenes, but not on tests comparing DNA sequences.

James Watson files a brief in the ongoing legal case over Myriad Genetics’ right to hold patents on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.