The American laboratory "Moderna" has launched a legal battle against "Pfizer" and "BioNTech," accusing them of violating patents related to key technologies for the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine. In a statement, Moderna expressed its belief that Pfizer and BioNTech's Comirnaty vaccine infringes on patents filed by Moderna between 2010 and 2016.
Moderna indicated that it intends to use these mRNA-related technologies to develop treatments for influenza, HIV, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers. Moderna and Pfizer (in collaboration with BioNTech) were the first to begin producing vaccines against the coronavirus using mRNA technology soon after the outbreak of the pandemic, which allows human cells to produce proteins found in the virus, enabling the immune system to recognize and combat it.
Prior to this, vaccines relied on doses of weakened or inactivated viruses to help the body learn to fight the virus off. The development of therapies typically requires clinical trials to ensure safety, often taking several years. The use of mRNA technology in Moderna's and Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccines, which are the most widely used in the world, marks the culmination of four decades of research that addressed numerous challenges.
This technology is highly anticipated for its flexibility and ability to stimulate antigen production in the body. Moderna noted that it filed a complaint in Massachusetts, USA, and Düsseldorf, Germany. Resolving this legal dispute could take several years.
In a message to AFP, Pfizer/BioNTech stated they had not yet reviewed the full complaint but expressed surprise at the developments, considering that the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine "is based on BioNTech's exclusive mRNA technology and was developed in partnership with Pfizer." Both companies have expressed their readiness to "vigorously" defend their interests against Moderna's claims.
Moderna clarified that it had committed in October 2020 not to pursue intellectual property claims while the pandemic is ongoing, but now believes circumstances have changed. The company does not seek to withdraw the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine from the market but instead seeks financial compensation for vaccines sold since March. Pfizer anticipates earning $32 billion from sales of its COVID-19 vaccine from the beginning to the end of 2022.
