British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has filed a lawsuit against biotech firm BioNTech and pharmaceutical company Pfizer in the United States. GSK alleges that the two companies infringed on patents related to mRNA technology, which was used in the development of COVID-19 vaccines.
The patents in question are GSK’s rights to technological innovations developed “more than ten years” before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the British company.
GSK claims that the technology covered by the patents formed the basis for Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccines. The British company, through a spokesperson, stated its willingness to grant licenses “under commercially reasonable terms and to ensure that patients continue to have access” to the injections.
GSK has also requested damages from the U.S. court. The amount of compensation sought has not been disclosed. Pfizer has indicated its intention to “vigorously defend” against GSK’s allegations.
Multiple lawsuits are ongoing regarding the ownership rights of mRNA technology, with Pfizer, BioNTech, and pharmaceutical company Moderna all involved.