GSK filed a lawsuit against Pfizer on Aug. 2, claiming Pfizer's respiratory syncytial virus vaccine infringes on patents related to its own RSV shot.
The FDA has approved both drugmakers' RSV shots for use in adults 60 and older. GSK's lawsuit alleges Pfizer's Abrysvo vaccine infringes four patients used in its shot Arexvy. The Britain-based drugmaker is demanding a jury trial and is seeking monetary damages, including lost profits and royalties related to the alleged infringement.
"Upon information and belief, Pfizer knowingly uses the inventions claimed in the GSK Patents without permission," GSK said in court documents reviewed by Becker's, adding that Pfizer started on work on its RSV vaccine program as early as 2013, at least seven years after GSK started work on its shot for the respiratory illness.
A Pfizer spokesperson told CNBC it is "confident in its intellectual property position and will strongly defend its right to bring its innovative" RSV shot to patients.