SK bioscience Triumphs in Patent Dispute Against Moderna in South Korea
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Synopsis
On April 23, SK bioscience declared a significant win in its patent dispute against Moderna, focusing on mRNA technology essential for vaccine development. This ruling could accelerate SK's efforts to develop vaccines aimed at a range of infectious diseases while expanding its global reach, particularly in regions lacking Moderna's patent coverage.
Key Takeaways
- SK bioscience won a patent dispute against Moderna.
- The patent involved key mRNA technology.
- This ruling supports SK's vaccine development efforts.
- SK bioscience collaborates with CEPI.
- Global mRNA therapeutics market is growing.
Seoul, April 23 (NationPress) SK bioscience, the biopharmaceutical division of South Korea's SK Group, announced on Wednesday that it has secured a decisive victory in a patent invalidation lawsuit against Moderna, the international developer of the messenger-RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine.
In 2023, SK bioscience initiated a nullity suit contesting Moderna's patent regarding modified nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids along with their applications, according to a press release from the company.
According to reports from the Yonhap news agency, Moderna's patent is the only registered patent in South Korea related to mRNA manufacturing technology.
SK bioscience contended that the patent had been granted priority rights unfairly, which impeded the advancement of mRNA technology.
This contentious patent was deemed essential for mRNA manufacturing and was pertinent to SK bioscience's ongoing projects, which include the development of an mRNA-based Japanese encephalitis vaccine candidate, GBP560, as stated in the release.
The company has been collaborating with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a non-profit organization established by American billionaire Bill Gates, for this vaccine's development.
CEPI has allocated US$357 million over recent years to South Korean private and academic collaborators, including SK bioscience.
A spokesperson for SK bioscience remarked, "If successfully developed, SK bioscience's mRNA vaccines could be exported to developing nations across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, regions where Moderna has not yet secured patents for its mRNA vaccines."
Last month, the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board ruled in favor of SK bioscience, a decision that the company claims will expedite its initiatives in the global competition for mRNA vaccine technology.
Moderna did not contest the ruling within the designated legal timeframe.
According to global market research firm Nova One Advisor, the international mRNA therapeutics market is projected to surpass 84 trillion won (approximately $58.9 billion) by 2033.
SK bioscience has set a goal to create an mRNA vaccine platform capable of addressing not only pandemics but also a wider variety of infectious diseases.
