Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories
In brief
The Supreme Court overturned the appeals court and ruled that Prometheus's process was not eligible for a patent.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 9-0 · March 20, 2012 · Opinion by Justice Breyer
- What it’s about
- Prometheus held patents on methods for using test results to guide drug doses and sued Mayo over a similar test.
- Who it affects
- Prometheus's process is not eligible for patent protection under the Court's ruling.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court overturned the appeals court and ruled that Prometheus’s process was not eligible for a patent because it relied on a law of nature.
Prometheus held patents on methods that used test results to guide drug doses and sued Mayo over a similar test.
The dispute involved patents on diagnostic methods that use test results to guide drug doses.
Question presented
Can certain types of diagnostic medical tests can be patented?
What the Court decided
Holding
Prometheus’ process is not patent eligible. 628 F. 3d 1347, reversed.
- Result
- Reversed
The vote
What's next
The appeals court's ruling was overturned; no further action for the parties or a lower court is specified.
Documents
Opinions
Audio
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Impact Analysis
AI analysis generated: Opinion Summary
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AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
Audio Recording added: Oral Arguments - Mayo Collaborative Services, dba Mayo Medical Laboratories v. Prometheus Laboratories, Inc.
Opinion added: Opinion
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.