John Mason, a principle at the Oldwell Partners, was confronting a decision of whether or not to invest in DiagnoFirst, a molecular diagnostics company. DiagnoFirst's key merchandise was a genetic evaluation that identified a subset of prostate cancer patients with a high risk of clinical progression and death.
DiagnoFirst had applied for patents, in both the U.S. and EU, for the sequence of 40 genes, the new methodology for gene amplification, and the particular mechanisms of the genetic tests. The decision to invest in DiagnoFirst of Mason was based on the likelihood of getting patents in part and in part on the planned cash flows of the business under various scenarios. This case analyzes issues of intellectual property in science, international differences in patent law, and the decision making process of venture capital in biotechnology deals.
The DiagnoFirst Opportunity case study solution
PUBLICATION DATE: May 26, 2009 PRODUCT #: 309112-PDF-ENG
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