This session will detail the complex and pivotal patent litigations surrounding COVID-19 vaccines, offering life sciences IP lawyers in Europe critical insights into this rapidly evolving landscape. Session leaders will dissect the intersection of patent law, public health policy, and global access, highlighting strategic considerations and broader implications for the life sciences IP community. Topics of discussion will include:

• Analyzing key cases like Moderna vs. Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine dispute, assessing their legal arguments, impact on the pharma industry, and implications for biotech patent law
• Examining how top pharmaceutical companies protect their COVID-19 vaccine IP and the impact of these strategies on vaccine innovation
• Detailing the interplay between public health policies, emergency use authorizations, and patent rights during the pandemic
• Assessing the impact of voluntary patent pledges, such as AstraZeneca’s non-profit vaccine pledge, on IP management in health crises
• Exploring key takeaways from the COVID-19 vaccine patent disputes to inform future IP management strategies in health emergencies
• Debating the ethical and legal challenges of balancing global vaccine access with the need to protect innovation through patents