Daily Archives: June 20, 2013

Contradictions and illogical conclusions in the ruling that freed US student Amanda Knox from jail mean DNA evidence will be re-examined from scratch and witnesses may be re-heard, her lawyer says.

'We were very surprised, we took it very badly,' Luciano Ghirga said in reference to a damning report released by Italy's highest appeals court explaining why it quashed the acquittal of Knox and her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito.

'The new court will re-examine all the evidence from the very start, with fresh expert evaluation and possibly fresh testimony from witnesses,' he said.

'We are ready to fight, to answer every challenge point by point,' he added.

Knox and Sollecito - originally sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison for sexually abusing and killing Knox's British housemate Meredith Kercher - were acquitted by an appeals court in Perugia in 2011 after four years behind bars.

In March, however, Italy's highest appeals court overturned the acquittal and ordered a retrial in a Florence appeals court, citing 'numerous examples of shortcomings, contradictions and incoherencies' in the original appeal ruling.

The 74-page report accused the judges of glazing over clues and insisted the prosecution's claim from the original trial - that the grizzly murder was the result of 'an erotic game that spun out of control' - was a valid hypothesis.

'We had gone beyond that theory, proved there was nothing to it,' Ghirga said, while Sollecito's lawyer Giulia Bongiorno added: 'If there was an erotic game, most certainly Raffaele Sollecito and Amanda Knox were not part of it.'

Both Knox and Sollecito face a retrial in a Florence court, although no date has yet been set and Italy cannot compel the Seattle-born student to return.

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Experts to re-examine Knox DNA clues

ROME (AFP) Contradictions and illogical conclusions in the ruling that freed US student Amanda Knox from jail mean DNA evidence will be re-examined from scratch and witnesses may be re-heard, her lawyer said Tuesday.

"We were very surprised, we took it very badly," Luciano Ghirga said in reference to a damning report released by Italy's highest appeals court explaining why it quashed the acquittal of Knox and her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito.

"The new court will re-examine all the evidence from the very start, with fresh expert evaluation and possibly fresh testimony from witnesses," he said.

"We are ready to fight, to answer every challenge point by point," he added.

Knox and Sollecito -- originally sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison for sexually abusing and killing Knox's British housemate Meredith Kercher -- were acquitted by an appeals court in Perugia in 2011 after four years behind bars.

In March, however, Italy's highest appeals court overturned the acquittal and ordered a retrial in a Florence appeals court, citing "numerous examples of shortcomings, contradictions and incoherences" in the original appeal ruling.

The 74-page report accused the judges of glazing over clues and insisted the prosecution's claim from the original trial -- that the grizzly murder was the result of "an erotic game that span out of control" -- was a valid hypothesis.

"We had gone beyond that theory, proved there was nothing to it," Ghirga said, while Sollecito's lawyer Giulia Bongiorno added: "If there was an erotic game, most certainly Raffaele Sollecito and Amanda Knox were not part of it."

The report claimed a third trace of blood found on a knife recovered from the house Knox and Kercher lived in should have been examined and was not.

It found fault with the time-scale of the murder the appeals court followed, saying that the "harrowing scream" heard by several witnesses pushed back the time of the crime from between 21:00 and 21:30 local time to two hours later.

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Experts to re-examine DNA clues in fresh Knox appeal

DNA Oy, a Finnish wireless carrier, is weighing a sale to a private-equity firm and an initial public offering as options to broaden its ownership.

DNA, owned by a group of Finnish regional phone carriers led by Finda Oy, said its plans will become clearer within the next few months, according to a statement today. Keeping the current ownership structure is an option, the Helsinki-based company said.

A sale would provide the shareholders with cash, while potentially strengthening DNA against larger rivals Elisa Oyj (ELI1V) and TeliaSonera AB. (TLSN) The IPO could be the biggest in Finland, home of Nokia Oyj (NOK1V) and Angry Birds maker Rovio Entertainment Oy, since 2005.

DNAs market value is probably about 1.1 billion euros ($1.5 billion), Mikko Ervasti, an analyst at Evli Bank Oyj in Helsinki, said in March. Though the companys profitability has trailed rivals, it will probably boost margins this year and next as it adds subscribers and curbs costs, according to the analyst.

DNAs sales increased 5.7 percent to 769 million euros last year and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose 1.2 percent to 191 million euros, according to its website. DNAs wireless service covers more than 5 million Finns and the company also owns a cable-television network in the Helsinki area.

To contact the reporter on this story: Adam Ewing in Stockholm at aewing5@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Ville Heiskanen at vheiskanen@bloomberg.net

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Finnish Mobile Carrier DNA Weighs Sale to Private Equity or IPO

PISCATAWAY, N.J. , June 20, 2013 /CNW/ - On June 13, 2013 , the United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled that although isolated, natural gene sequences are unpatentable, cDNA (referred to as synthetic DNA) is officially considered patentable subject material. The ruling was issued after the court reviewed patents owned by Myriad Genetics Inc. in the high-profile case Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics. The patents claimed the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, as well as methods for detecting mutations in the genes that have been linked to breast and ovarian cancer. The court supported this legal claim, stating that "cDNA is not a 'product of nature,' so it is patent eligible ".

GenScript's gene synthesis service is a valuable method for circumventing the isolation of natural DNA sequences for use in biological research studies. The service provides non-natural, de novo DNA sequences synthesized according to specified client design, allowing natural gene sequences or cassettes to be engineered for in vivo, or in vitro use, including diagnostic tests. Additionally, GenScript's OptimumGene(TM) codon optimization technology can alter the sequence of natural genes, to increase the expression of the subsequent protein in a number of systems. The OptimumGeneTM algorithm considers nearly every parameter affecting the central dogma process, from transcription to protein folding, and has been proven to optimize protein production in bacterial, mammalian, yeast and insect expression systems. OptimumGeneTM codon optimization in combination of gene synthesis can generate novel, non-naturally occurring sequences, with high-utility and attractive patentable features. To preserve clients' intellectual property rights, GenScript does not claim any rights to specialized synthetic or OptimumGeneTM codon optimized genes. Custom project details are kept strictly confidential; all intellectual property rights belong to the client.

It may be too soon to speculate on the court ruling's effect on DNA sequences' future patentability. However, as the pace of molecular biology research quickens, the use of synthetic DNA will inevitably become a mainstay in every lab. GenScript offers gene synthesis and codon optimization solutions for the present and future of gene patent law and remains committed to supporting innovation.

*GenScript is not a legal practitioner and the content above is in no way intended to provide legal advice for patent prosecution, litigation or any associated legal matters thereof.

SOURCE: GenScript USA Inc.

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Synthetic DNA Deemed Patentable by US Supreme Court, Gene Synthesis and Codon Optimization Provide Potential Pathway ...

- The company integrated on-the-spot DNA microchip-based test with a cloud-based server and gene-mapping engine to offer a rapid and robust cosmeceuticals solution

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, June 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the personalized cosmeceuticals market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes geneOnyx Limited with the 2013 European Frost & Sullivan Award for New Product Innovation. geneOnyx leverages a DNA testing platform originally used for medical point-of-care testing to create an on-the-spot genetic test for anti-aging cosmetics.

geneOnyx's test requires only a single-step DNA collection procedure from saliva to examine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)or genetic variationsin key genes relating to important skin biochemical pathways. The sample is placed on a rapid lab-on-chip system, which is connected to a cloud-computing device linked to CosMos(TM), geneOnyx's patent-pending, cloud-based data analysis engine and ingredient library.

In 30 minutes, the system maps the personalized profile of the individual's genetic variations with compatible active ingredients and recommends a customized anti-aging serum that will be most effective for the individual. The DNA microchip will be securely disposed of immediately to ensure the confidentiality of the customer's profile.

"The DNA microchip is portable, resembling a USB memory stick, and enables testing outside the laboratory environment," said Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Vin Nee Lim. "geneOnyx DNA testing harnesses DNA Electronics' proprietary Genalysis(R) technology; geneOnyx(TM) obtained a worldwide exclusive license from DNA Electronics in 2012 for utilizing this technology in the cosmeceuticals sector."

The geneOnyx test is the first over-the-counter personalized genetic test. Dermatologists and cosmeticians find it highly useful in recommending skincare products with specific ingredients. As the test is user-friendly, they can easily be carried out by non-scientific trained personnel and conveniently performed in a retail setting.

geneOnyx's product will have a significant impact on the cosmetic industry by enabling an end-to-end customer service.

"The company is set to launch a flagship store in London with its own skincare range, developed in association with the genetic testing technology, providing customers with both personalized recommendations and a skincare regime solution," noted Lim. "geneOnyx's current services are focused on anti-aging skincare, but the testing system's application will extend to health and wellness as well."

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed an innovative element in a product by leveraging leading-edge technologies. The award recognizes the value-added features/benefits of the product and the increased ROI it offers customers, which, in turn, increases customer acquisition and overall market penetration potential.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

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Frost & Sullivan Applauds geneOnyx for its DNA Testing Solution for the Personalized Cosmeceuticals Market