LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Supreme Court’s decision today to invalidate patents on human genes changes the landscape of Personalized Medicine, making it possible for more patients to benefit from genetic testing while substantially lowering the cost of that testing.
“PGXL’s mission is to advance Personalized Medicine for the improvement of people’s lives,” says Dr. Roland Valdes, Jr., President of PGXL Laboratories. “This opens the door for PGXL Laboratories and others to provide a greater diversity of tests in the very near future.”
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that were the subject of this case indicate a predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer. It was a BRCA1 test that convinced Angelina Jolie to undergo pre-emptive mastectomy.
The tests have been expensive, costing as much as $3,000. Putting BRCA1 and BRCA2 in the public domain will lower that cost by increasing availability and competition. In addition, unencumbered access to the genes will enable laboratories to innovate new and more cost-effective ways to analyze and interpret the gene.
The case is Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, 12-398
ABOUT PGXL
PGXL Laboratories is a pioneer in the application of genetic testing to personalized medicine. It was the first lab CLIA-certified specifically to perform pharmacogenetic tests, and the first to bring to market a combined CYP2C9/VKORC1 panel to diagnose susceptibility to warfarin adverse drug reactions. Along with its clinical practice, PGXL performs contract research for manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.
