For Ohio's Bioscience Industry, Supreme Court's Ruling is a Game-Changer

Susanne Hopkins, a partner in the Vorys Washington, D.C. and Cleveland offices, authored a column for the Crain’s Cleveland Business Health Care Report on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics. Hopkins thinks that the decision will have a dramatic impact on Cleveland's biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies as well as its world-class research institutions.

Her article, titled “For Ohio's bioscience industry, Supreme Court's ruling is a game-changer,” states:

“The decision allows access to genomic DNA, providing Ohio's biotech industry and drug companies with incentives to expand research and development in areas previously locked up by patents that prevented new diagnostic testing. However, biotech and drug company ventures built solely around IP covering only diagnostic testing of individual genes may struggle to survive the court's decision.

Myriad's critics — academics, researchers, and bioethicists — cheered the court's decision as a victory signaling that patents would no longer impede genetic research and restrict the availability of diagnostic genetic tests. The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics called it a ‘thrilling victory for patients.’”

To read the entire article, visit the Crain’s Cleveland Business website. (Subscription may be required).