Profile: Myriad Genetics Inc (MYGN.O)

Myriad Genetics, Inc. is a healthcare company focused on the development and marketing of molecular diagnostic products. The Company is focused on providing physicians with information that guide the healthcare management of their patients to prevent disease, delay the onset of disease, or catch the disease at an earlier stage when it is treatable. As of June 30, 2009, the Company launched seven commercial molecular diagnostic products, including four predictive medicine and three personalized medicine products. It markets the products through its 300-person sales force in the United States. On June 30, 2009, the Company spun-off its research and drug development businesses for the treatment of cancers and other diseases into its wholly owned subsidiary, Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (MPI).

The Company’s molecular diagnostic products are designed to analyze genes and their mutations to assess an individual’s risk for developing disease. Its molecular diagnostic products are BRACAnalysis, COLARIS, COLARIS AP, MELARIS, THERAGUIDE, OnDose and PREZEON. BRACAnalysis is an analysis of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes for assessing a woman’s risk of developing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. It provides information, which helps the patient and the physician make informed lifestyle, surveillance, preventive medication and treatment decisions. COLARIS is an analysis of the MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6 genes for assessing a person’s risk of developing colorectal cancer or uterine cancer. COLARIS AP detects mutations in the APC and MYH genes, which cause a colon polyp-forming syndrome, known as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), a common variation of the syndrome, known as attenuated FAP, and the MYH-associated polyposis signature (MAP). MELARIS analyzes mutations in the p16 gene to determine genetic susceptibility to malignant melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer.

THERAGUIDE 5-FU analyzes mutations in the DPYD gene and variations in the TYMS gene to assess patient risk of 5-Flourouracil (5-FU) toxicity and to help guide physician dosing decisions. It is prescribed for the treatment of colorectal, metastatic, breast, skin, and head and neck cancers. OnDose is a simple blood test that assists oncologists to optimize infusional 5-FU therapy on an individual basis. OnDose provides pharmacokinetic data to the oncologist to guide dose adjustments of 5-FU to ensure the potential cancer is being treated appropriately with reduced side effects and toxicity. PREZEON assesses loss of PTEN function in cancers which are associated with disease progression and poorer survival. Analysis of PTEN function can help oncologists in identifying patients who may not respond to these classes of cancer drugs. The PTEN gene plays a role in the disease progression of the four major cancers – breast, prostate, colon, and lung cancer.