NIH files its own BRCA1 patent

WASHINGTON - Rep. Ron Wyden has injected himself into the negotiations between the NIH and Myriad Genetics Inc. over the ownership of the BRCA1 breast cancer gene, declaring his continuing interest in the "leverage" that the NIH or other federal agencies can use to lower prices on new drugs or devices.

The issue centers on a patent on the BRCA1 gene filed by the University of Utah and licensed exclusively to Myriad (see BioCentury, Oct. 24). The patent does not name any NIH scientists. According to correspondence between NIH Director Harold Varmus and the Oregon Democrat, NIH has filed a patent listing two NIH scientists as co-inventors, along with seven individuals from the university and the Salt Lake City company. ...