Pharmaceutical Titans Face off in Court: GSK Sues Pfizer and BioNTech over COVID-19 Vaccine Patents

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has filed a lawsuit against Pfizer and BioNTech in Delaware federal court, alleging that they have infringed on GSK patents related to messenger RNA (mRNA) technology used in their COVID-19 vaccines. GSK claims that Pfizer and BioNTech’s Comirnaty vaccines violate patents that GSK developed over a decade before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pfizer is confident in its intellectual property position and intends to vigorously defend against GSK’s claims, while BioNTech has not commented on the lawsuit. The lawsuit is part of a series of high-stakes court cases involving Pfizer, BioNTech, and Moderna over patent royalties for vaccine technology.

GSK believes its foundational technology was used in Pfizer and BioNTech’s mRNA vaccines and is willing to license its patents on commercially reasonable terms to ensure continued patient access to the vaccines. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages from Pfizer and BioNTech, including an ongoing patent-licensing fee. Additionally, GSK previously sued Pfizer for patent infringement regarding technology used in Pfizer’s RSV vaccine Abrysvo.

The legal battle between these pharmaceutical giants could have significant financial implications for all parties involved. The case highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in the fast-paced world of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.