Alnylam Files Patent Infringement Suits against Pfizer and Moderna

RNAi therapeutics company Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has separately filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Pfizer and Moderna, seeking damages for patent infringement in the parties’ manufacture and sale of their mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The patent relates to Alnylam’s biodegradable cationic lipids that are foundational to the success of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

Alnylam is seeking fair compensation for use of its technology based on patent claims to a broad class of biodegradable lipids invented over a decade ago resulting from extensive research and investment. The company has stated that it is proud that this work has supported rapid development of the life-saving vaccines and does not intend to seek an injunction or take action that impedes production, sale or distribution of the vaccines.

Alnylam has led the translation of RNA interference (RNAi) into a new class of innovative medicines with the potential to transform the lives of people afflicted with rare and prevalent diseases with unmet need. Based on Nobel Prize-winning science, RNAi therapeutics represent a powerful, clinically validated approach yielding transformative medicines. Alnylam’s commercial RNAi therapeutic products are ONPATTRO^® (patisiran), GIVLAARI^® (givosiran), OXLUMO^® (lumasiran) and Leqvio^® (inclisiran) being developed and commercialized by Alnylam’s partner, Novartis. Alnylam also has a deep pipeline of investigational medicines, including six product candidates that are in late-stage development. (Source: Alnylam Website, 17 March, 2022)