Patenting mutations
Myriad Genetics, a noted biotechnology company based in Washington, USA, recently announced that it had been awarded a patent on 47 different mutations in the BRCA1 gene, abnormalities in which substantially heighten risk of such diseases as breast and ovarian cancer. According to Peter Meldrum, Myriad's president and chief executive officer, the award "establishes a broad and substantial proprietary foundation for the company's products.'