Companies active in the breast cancer genomics market are waging a war of words and data to push their respective tests forward. With an expanding volume of data showing that genomic testing can save many patients from unnecessary chemotherapy treatment, and positive recommendations issued in major clinical practice guidelines, there is a compelling argument – from both a quality of care and overall economic standpoint – for physicians to use these tests, and strong growth is anticipated in this space going forward.

A new prostate cancer assay that uniquely defines blood-based biomarkers could restore confidence in the controversial PSA (prostate specific antigen) screening test. Cleveland Diagnostics Inc.’s PSA/SIA test detects cancer-specific changes to the three-dimensional structure of a PSA protein molecule, as opposed to merely measuring the amount of PSA in the blood via a standard PSA test.

With recent changes to US patent laws, a landmark US Supreme Court decision, and the emergence of so-called “patent trolls” in the medical device community, it seems everyone is talking patents. Medical device patents and litigation are “booming,” according to industry experts, and medtech companies need to pay close attention.