Pfizer shoots back at Alnylam's claims in high-stakes COVID-19 vaccine patent case

In a patent fight surrounding the U.S.' first—and most lucrative—COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer has shot back at Alnylam’s infringement argument. After Alnylam sued alleging unauthorized use of its delivery technology, Pfizer says the company's tech was irrelevant to its shot's success.

Back in March, Alnylam sued COVID-19 vaccine heavyweights Pfizer and Moderna for alleged infringement, arguing it invented the delivery technology used by the two companies' vaccines more than a decade ago.

Pfizer isn't buying the argument. In a new filing (PDF), Pfizer said the technology claimed by Alnylam's '933 patent played no role in the success of its COVID-19 vaccine. Further, Pfizer says Alnylam’s attempt to enforce intellectual property in this case is an effort to seek an improper economic benefit. 

For its part, Alnylam says its '933 patent covers technology to safely deliver mRNA-based vaccines. The biotech says it used the patent to deliver first RNAi therapeutic Onpattro, used to treat polyneuropathy caused by hereditary ATTR amyloidosis, as well as three other drugs that are now licensed to Novartis. The company is seeking damages for “wrongful acts in an amount to be determined at trial” as well as royalties.

Moderna is also facing patent infringement lawsuits, but it has employed a slightly different defense so far. The company says its infringement lawsuits should instead be filed against the U.S. government because federal authorities have contracted Moderna for vaccine supplies. Moderna also plans to show its vaccine doesn't violate any patents, the company has said.

Pfizer expects $32 billion in COVID-19 vaccine sales this year, while Moderna forecasts $21 billion.