DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Molecular-diagnostic company Myriad Genetics Inc. (MYGN) said
Wednesday it agreed to conduct BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation testing for
Cephalon Inc., a Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA,
TEVA.TV) subsidiary, to help assess women's risk for hereditary
breast and ovarian cancer.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are human genes that belong to a class of tumor
suppressor genes. Mutation of these genes has been linked to
hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, according to the National
Cancer Institute.
Under the agreement, Myriad will assess the BRCA status in
patients prior to being enrolled in a Phase I/II study. Myriad has
entered into similar agreements with Abbott Laboratories (ABT),
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN, AZN.LN) and BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.
(BMRN) to provide companion diagnostic testing for clinical trial
enrollment.
Myriad's shares closed Wednesday at $23.56 and were inactive
after hours. The stock is up 15% over the past three months.
-By Ben Fox Rubin, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-3108;
ben.rubin@dowjones.com