Current Actions

Gene patenting lawsuit against Myriad Genetics

In a unanimously ruling, The United States Supreme Court invalidated Myriad Genetics' patents on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. FORCE filed an amicus brief (friend of the court) in favor of the lawsuit and testified to the United States Patent and Trademark Office about the heavy burden that exclusive gene patents place on the hereditary cancer community. Read more...

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Response to USPSTF draft guidelines on BRCA testing

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is a panel of experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine which conducts scientific reviews of and develops recommendations on the effectiveness of a broad range of preventive services.

The USPSTF updated their guidelines for BRCA testing and published a draft of their proposed guidelines. FORCE submitted a response to this draft. Read more...

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Testimony to USPTO on impact of exclusive gene patents

FORCE testified to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on the adverse impact that exclusive gene patents has had on hereditary cancer research, interpretation of BRCA testing, and access to care. Read more...

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FDA's Patient-Focused Drug Development Program

The FDA's Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) authorizes the FDA to choose 20 different disease areas for concentration to expedite drug development and review. The FDA's preliminary list of 20 diseases does not include hereditary cancer syndromes.

FORCE in partnership with advocacy groups provided written and oral testimony to the FDA urging them to add inherited cancer syndromes to the disease focus list. The FDA is allowing public commentary on this issue until midnight on November 1, 2012. Read more...

 

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