Myriad Genetics

The global search for the genetic basis of breast cancer began in April 1978 when Dr. Mark Skolnick began his research on family disease and linkages at the University of Utah. Numerous other groups also worked to locate BRCA, including Mary-Claire King, Ph.D., from the University of California, Berkeley where she announced the localization through linkage analysis of a gene associated with increased risk for breast cancer to the long arm of chromosome 17.To locate the actual gene, Dr. Skolnick and his colleagues invented a landmark gene mapping technique known as Restriction Fragment-length Polymorphisms . Gilbert joined Kimberlin in 1991, and they teamed up with Skolnick to form Myriad Genetics.In August 1994, Mark Skolnick and researchers at Myriad, along with colleagues at the University of Utah, the U.S. National Institutes of Health , and McGill University patented and sequenced BRCA1.The firm then established the first clinical laboratory to commercialize genomic testing. Its capabilities have saved countless lives by informing millions of women about their BRCA1/2 risk. Myriad created the first test to measure the molecular biology and aggressiveness of men’s prostate cancer, devised a method to assess the inherited breast cancer risk of any woman not previously diagnosed with breast cancer, regardless of ancestry, important for addressing racial and ethnic disparities, commercialized a psychotropic test that covers 61 medications commonly prescribed for depression, anxiety, ADHD. Also pioneering the field of DNA-specific medicine, Myriad received the first FDA approval for a lab-developed diagnostic test for use in predicting the responses to a DNA-repair drug.

Acquisitions and Subsidiaries

In August 2016, Myriad announced it would acquire Assurex Health for up to $410 million, expanding the company's genetic testing for psychotropic medicine selection.In July 2018, Myriad completed an acquisition of reproductive genetic testing firm Counsyl for $375 million, expanding the company's testing capabilities to carrier and prenatal screening.Other subsidiaries of Myriad Genetics include Myriad International and Myriad Autoimmune .

Founders

The founders of Myriad are Peter Meldrum , Kevin Kimberlin , Dr. Walter Gilbert and Mark Skolnick .