GSK sues Moderna over mRNA vaccine patent infringement, October 2024
- GSK has filed a lawsuit against Moderna, alleging patent infringement related to mRNA vaccine technology.
- The lawsuit claims that GSK's scientists developed the foundational technology for mRNA vaccines more than a decade ago.
- GSK seeks compensation for what it describes as unauthorized sales of vaccines that infringe on its intellectual property.
In October 2024, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) initiated legal action against Moderna in the United States, alleging that Moderna's mRNA vaccines infringe on GSK's patents. GSK claims that the technology behind Moderna's vaccines, particularly the Spikevax series, is derived from a platform developed by a team led by Christian Mandl over a decade ago. This team pioneered mRNA vaccine technology, filing patents in 2010 that laid the foundation for modern vaccine development. GSK argues that its scientists created formulations that effectively combine lipids and mRNA to elicit immune responses against viral infections, showcasing the platform's rapid development capabilities during past outbreaks, such as the 2013 influenza outbreak in China. Despite the significance of GSK's contributions to mRNA technology, the company asserts that Moderna has profited significantly from its innovations without proper licensing or acknowledgment. GSK's lawsuit seeks to recover royalties for what it describes as unauthorized sales of vaccines that infringe on its intellectual property. The legal action follows a similar lawsuit GSK filed earlier in the year against Pfizer and BioNTech, indicating a broader concern within the pharmaceutical industry regarding patent rights and the use of mRNA technology. As the case unfolds, it raises important questions about intellectual property rights in the rapidly evolving field of vaccine development. The outcome could have significant implications for both companies and the future of mRNA technology in combating viral diseases.