The need

Attorneys representing a clinical laboratory defending itself against a patent suit brought by a research institute needed an expert in genetic analysis to bolster their defense. The patent in question related to methods and materials used to detect the BRCA gene which can cause susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer. Therefore, the ideal expert would have both a clinical genetic and a research background.

Our approach

From conversations with the client, we understood that the best candidate could be a professor with a specialty in genetic or molecular analysis. The prior art suggested someone that had practice for five to 10 years. Finally, testifying experience would be a plus, but they would consider candidates without it if their credentials were a strong match.

The expert

We found an expert with a PhD from a top medical school that was a Professor of Molecular Genetics. In her long, established career she had also led a Diagnostic Laboratory and a Sequencing Laboratory. With over 20 years of experience in genetic analysis, she had deep knowledge of the methods and technology used in molecular and genetic analysis and was very familiar with the BRCA gene as well as its mutations. She was well published with relevant peer-reviewed papers on the BRCA mutations. Finally, she had testifying experience.