Despite the US Supreme Court decision, Myriad Genetics still has more than 500 claims covering its tests for breast-cancer genes. This reassured investors, and its stock price soared (see 'Patently unclear'). But the price later slumped as firms including California's Ambry Genetics and Quest Diagnostics in Madison, New Jersey, said that they plan to launch their own tests. Myriad's test costs US$4,000, but competitors' tests could cost half that Some lawyers say that firms are risking lawsuits by infringing Myriad's patents, but others think that the competitors could design genetic tests that avoid the remaining narrow claims. Any lawsuits could last for years - by which time many of Myriad's patents will have expired. H.L.
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