Pfizer received patent grant for Prevnar 13® in India. The application for grant of patent in India for Prevenar 13 was filed by Wyeth LLC, USA. (a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc., USA) in the year 2007. This was subject to pre-grant opposition challenge before the Intellectual Property Office in India.
Prevnar 13® is a vaccine indicated in children 6 weeks through 17 years (prior to the 18th birthday) for active immunization for the prevention of invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F, and for children 6 weeks through 5 years of age (prior to the 6th birthday) for the prevention of otitis media caused by 7 of the 13 serotypes in the vaccine.
Prevnar 13® should not be given to anyone with a history of severe allergic reaction to any component of Prevnar 13® or any diphtheria toxoid‑containing vaccine Adults with weakened immune systems (eg, HIV infection, leukemia) may have a reduced immune response
As per Pfizer, the pre-grant opposition has now been decided on merits by the Intellectual Property Office in India and a patent has been granted to Pfizer Inc., USA for Prevenar 13 in India.
Pfizer Limited has been marketing Prevenar 13 in India under a license given to it by Pfizer Inc., USA.
“It’s unfair and unacceptable that almost a million children die each year from pneumonia, even though a life-saving vaccine is available. Children everywhere have a right to be protected from pneumonia, but many governments can’t afford the prices set by Pfizer,” said Dr Prince Mathew, Asia Regional Coordinator for MSF. “We urgently need additional manufacturers to rapidly introduce competition with the aim of lowering vaccine prices.”
The granting of this patent would block other manufacturers in India from supplying this vaccine - which protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria (PCV-13) - to those who need it most.
According to Leena Menghaney, South Asia Head for MSF’s Access Campaign, “Pfizer’s PCV 13 is too obvious to deserve a patent as per Indian patent law, and is just a way to guarantee an extended market monopoly for the corporation for many years to come.”
