French Research Center Challenges Patent for Breast Cancer Screening Test

A top research center in France is challenging the patent awarded by the European patent office to Myriad Genetics of Salt Lake City for a test to screen for predisposition to breast cancer.

The Institut Curie claims that the patent, granted last January, gives Myriad an abusive monopoly and threatens basic research. The French ministry of health and the ministry of research also support the claim.

Under the patent, physicians have to send DNA samples to Myriad for detection of the BRCA 1 gene mutation.

"Giving in to this monopoly would bring about an intolerable loss of data and expertise for French laboratories," said Dr. Dominique Stoppa-Lyonnet, head of diagnostic tests at the institute.

Stoppa-Lyonnet claims that Myriad's test missed 10 to 20 percent of mutations and costs significantly more than a similar test developed in France. The appeal procedure can last for up to five years.

Other Sources: British Medical Journal