MD ID 6525 (2025/2026) 01/05/2026-04/30/2026

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Course: MD ID 6525 - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ADVOCACY, POLICY AND ACCESS: A STUDY OF THE MYRIAD GENE PATENTING LITIGATION

Description: In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, the landmark case that banned the patenting of human genes. Beyond this narrow (though important) interpretation of Section 101 of the Patent Act, Myriad was brought and prosecuted by the ACLU largely as a civil rights case. It highlights the deep divide in the United States between those who view patents as fuel for the "fire of genius" versus those who view them as impediments to the equitable distribution of lifesaving drugs and diagnostics. Myriad raised issues concerning women's health, access to medicine, healthcare reimbursement and innovation policy. As a matter of litigation strategy, Myriad demonstrated how public interest advocacy should be pursued in highly technical cases, how coalitions of interest are formed, and how public communication and media influence the outcome of major cases. Finally, Myriad sheds light on the complex and little-known world of federal agency politics, and how the federal government intervenes in private litigation to achieve public goals. This class will explore these many facets of the Myriad litigation and decisions, allowing students to discuss and debate issues that are more timely than ever today.

Academic Year: 2025/2026

Start Date: 01/05/2026

End Date: 04/30/2026

Block: SPRING

Department: MD ID

Permission Required: No

Section Credits: 1

Min Openings: N/A

Max Openings: N/A

School Years: MSIMSIIMSIII

Course Classifications

Coordinator(s)

Directors(s): CONTRERAS,JORGE CD | jorge.contreras@law.utah.edu

Possible Grade(s): Grade has not been submitted by the instructor (***)

Prerequisites: None

Add Policy: Course may be added to schedule 30 days before it starts.

Drop Policy: Course may be dropped from schedule 30 days before it starts.

Syllabus: No syllabus.