GSK sues Pfizer over patents for RSV vaccine

GSK sues Pfizer over patents for RSV vaccine

GSK alleges Pfizer infringed four of its patents in developing a competing RSV vaccine
GSK alleges Pfizer infringed four of its patents in developing a competing RSV vaccine. Photo: SPENCER PLATT / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP/File
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

GlaxoSmithKline sued Pfizer on Wednesday over patent infringement, alleging the US drugmaker's RSV vaccine steals key elements of the British company's version.

The case, filed in federal court in the state of Delaware, pits the producers of the only two approved vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) against each other.

The United States on May 3 approved GSK's Arexvy as the first vaccine for RSV; that was followed on May 31 with US approval of Pfizer's Abrysvo. Both vaccines have since been approved by the European Union.

"Upon information and belief, Pfizer knowingly uses GSK's claimed inventions in Abrysvo without permission," said the GSK complaint.

The complaint describes Arexvy as "the result of more than 15 years of research and development by GSK scientists," adding that Pfizer's program on an RSV vaccine began "no earlier than 2013."

Read also

Senegal suspends TikTok after unrest

The lawsuit lists four GSK patents granted by US officials between 2013 and 2023 that Pfizer is alleged to have infringed.

PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!

The suit seeks compensation for lost profits and royalties and a permanent ban on Pfizer selling the product in the United States.

RSV is a widespread, highly contagious pathogen most known for causing bronchiolitis -- an irritation and inflammation of the small airways -- in young children, especially in winter.

It also infects adults and can become dangerous in the elderly, who may develop pneumonia.

Pfizer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.