Last year, a federal District Court in New York ruled in Association for Molecular Pathology et al. v. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office et al. that isolated human genes are not patentable subject matter. This case (commonly referred to as the Myriad case) is currently on appeal to the Federal Circuit and challenges the eligibility and enforceability of patents directed to isolated genes and their fragments; however, its reasoning could be extended to invalidate patents on other natural products, such as antibiotics and proteins.

Our panel will provide you with a range of industry and government perspectives on the Myriad case and other current legal issues associated with gene patents. Come hear from these experts:

Panelists:

• Dr. Mark Rohrbaugh, Director, Office of Technology Transfer, NIH
• Dr. Michele Wales, Vice President of Intellectual Property at Human Genome Sciences
• Dr. Hans Sauer, Deputy General Counsel for Intellectual Property, Biotechnology Industry Organization
• Dr. Jorge Goldstein, founding partner of the biotech/chemical group at Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
• Rene Salas, Strategic Growth Markets Leader, Enst & Young
• Dr. Kenneth Carter, President and CEO, Noble Life Sciences
• Dr. Reinhard Ebner, Vice President of Biology, Destiny Life Sciences