New England Biolabs Accused of Copying Genetic Cancer-Test Tech

British research firm Biomodal Ltd. and an affiliated US children’s medical charity accused New England Biolabs Inc. of ripping off their ground-breaking work in epigenetic cancer detection by selling unlicensed test kits, according to a federal lawsuit.

Biomodal’s research in epigenetics—the study of genetic changes not encoded in genome DNA—resulted in tests that can detect modifications in 5mC and 5hmC, which are genetic markers for certain cancers, according to the company. New England Biolabs failed to license Biomodal’s patented techniques and products before launching its EM-seq and 5hmC test kits, which allegedly utilize that technology, according to Biomodal’s complaint filed ...