Chuck Royce Comments on Myriad Genetics

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Oct 08, 2014

Six equity sectors made net contributions to first-half returns, with Health Care out in front, driven in large part by the terrific results for molecular diagnostic company Myriad Genetics (MYGN), which was among the portfolio’s five largest detractors in 2013 when we substantially increased our position. The company specializes in genetic testing for cancer and ended last year facing increased competition, particularly in breast cancer screening tests, and some still unresolved reimbursement issues that remained under federal review at the end of December. It was also facing skepticism from some quarters about the fallout from a June 2013 Supreme Court decision that genes could not be patented. Our take was that neither the high court ruling nor the increased competition would hurt the firm’s long-term health. We see the quality of its predictive tests as the industry’s gold standard, so we were quite pleased to see it continue to execute successfully (and profitably), as well as make a savvy acquisition of Crescendo Bioscience, in the first half. The acquisition diversifies Myriad’s already promising pipeline. It was the Fund’s largest holding at the end of June.

From Chuck Royce (Trades, Portfolio)’s Royce Premier Fund Second Quarter 2014 Manager Commentary.