In the lawsuit filed in federal court in Delaware, GSK alleged that Pfizer used many of its vaccine ingredients, covered by GSK patents, without permission as well as the processes used to produce these components
GSK sues Pfizer over patent infringement. (Credit: Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash)
UK-based biopharmaceutical firm GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) has filed a lawsuit against American pharmaceutical company Pfizer for patent infringement over the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.
In the lawsuit filed in federal court in Delaware, GSK alleged that Pfizer’s RSV vaccine Abrysvo violates its patent rights in Arexvy RSV shot.
GSK said that four of its patents relating to the antigen its shots use to treat the respiratory condition are violated by New York-based Pfizer’s vaccine, Reuters reported.
In the lawsuit, the British major alleged that Pfizer used many of its vaccine ingredients, covered by GSK patents, without permission as well as the processes used to produce these components.
In a statement, Pfizer told the news agency that it is “confident in its intellectual property position” and will “strongly defend” its right to provide patients with Abrysvo.
In May, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave both vaccines the go-ahead for use in individuals over the age of 60.
Abrysvo and Arexvy are claimed as the first vaccines authorised to prevent RSV.
The vaccines are a part of both businesses’ strategy to replace ageing medications that will be challenged by less expensive generic alternatives.
According to a GSK spokesman, intellectual property rights are the foundation of research-based companies’ ability to drive innovation, and the lawsuit should not prevent the biopharmaceutical firm from introducing Arexvy.
In the lawsuit, GSK alleged that Pfizer started developing its RSV programme as early as 2013, at least seven years after them.
Additionally, the litigation claimed that Pfizer has been aware of GSK’s patented technology since 2019 and started challenging the legality of European versions of GSK’s patents.
The lawsuit demands reimbursement for lost royalties and profits along with a permanent ban on Pfizer from selling the medicine in the US.
In June this year, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP) recommended Pfizer, GSK’s RSV vaccines in older patients.