- guardian.co.uk, Wednesday November 15 2000 03.06 GMT
1 Genset of France has applied for patents on 36,083 gene sequences.
This represents 28.5% of all applications relating to human genes. The company has 530 staff and a market valuation of $500m.
2 Ribozyme (US) claims patent applications on 15,863 sequences, 12.5% of the total.
The Colorado-based firm owns the nobel prizewinning technology of 'molecular scissors' which can cut tiny RNA.
3 Genetics Institute (a subsidiary of American Home Products) has applied for patents on 9,876 sequences, 7.8% of the total.
It has products on the market for cancer and haemophilia.
4 Genzyme (US) has filed applications on 8,546 - 6.7% of the total.
This sprawling biotech company has an operation developing transgenic goats.
5 Hyseq (US) claims 6,147 sequences (4.9%).
The Californian company is developing drugs for heart disease and inflammatory ilnesses.
6 Human Genome Sciences (US) has filed for patents on 3,964 (3.1%).
Recently awarded patent on gene believed to be 'docking point' for the Aids virus.
7 US Department of Health 2,991 sequences (2.4%).
8 Affymetrix (US) 2,079 sequences (1.5%).
Owns technology which stores genes on slides or chips.
9 Genentech (US) 1,995 sequences (1.5%).
Founded in 1976, was one of the first companies to specialise in gene-based medicines.
10 Incyte (US) claims 1,755 (1.4%).
Has put a 60,000-strong database of genes on the Internet.
The top 10 human gene patenters claim 70.4% of the total of 126,672 human gene sequences between them.
