`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
`
`ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`v.
`
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`
`COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT
`
`
`
`
`C.A. No. __________________
`
`JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
`
`
`
`
`PFIZER INC. and PHARMACIA &
`UPJOHN CO. LLC,
`
`Defendants.
`
`
`
`
`Plaintiff Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Alnylam”), by its attorneys, alleges as follows
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`for its Complaint for Patent Infringement against Defendants Pfizer Inc. and Pharmacia & Upjohn
`
`Co. LLC (collectively, “Defendants”).
`
`NATURE OF THE ACTION
`
`1.
`
`Alnylam is a pioneering RNA therapeutics company based in Cambridge,
`
`Massachusetts. Over a decade ago, Alnylam invented a breakthrough class of cationic
`
`biodegradable lipids used to form lipid nanoparticles (“LNP”) that carry and safely deliver in the
`
`body RNA-based therapeutics or vaccines (the “Alnylam LNP Technology”). The Alnylam LNP
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`Technology is foundational to the success of the recently-developed messenger RNA (“mRNA”)
`
`based COVID vaccines. The United States Patent Office recognized Alnylam’s inventive work,
`
`issuing United States Patent No. 11,246,933 (the “’933 Patent”) that protects the Alnylam LNP
`
`Technology. (Exhibit 1.)
`
`2.
`
` Defendants’ mRNA COVID-19 uses a cationic biodegradable lipid covered by
`
`’933 Patent. Specifically, Defendants infringe Alnylam’s ’933 Patent through the use of ALC-
`
`
`
`
`1
`
`
`
`Case 1:22-cv-00336-UNA Document 1 Filed 03/17/22 Page 2 of 15 PageID #: 2
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`0315,1 a cationic biodegradable lipid formulated into LNPs that protect and deliver the vaccine’s
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`mRNA. Alnylam brings this action to recover monetary compensation for Defendants’
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`unlicensed use of Alnylam’s ’933 Patent. Alnylam does not seek injunctive relief under 35 U.S.C.
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`§ 283 against such use.
`
`THE PARTIES
`
`3.
`
`Plaintiff Alnylam is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware
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`with a principal place of business at 675 West Kendall Street, Henri A. Termeer Square,
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`Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142. Founded in 2002, Alnylam is a groundbreaking life science
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`company that has worked to harness the potential of RNA interference (“RNAi”) therapeutics to
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`transform the lives of people living with diseases that have limited or inadequate treatment options.
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`Utilizing an earlier version of in-licensed LNP Technology, in 2018 Alnylam delivered the world’s
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`first approved RNAi therapeutic, ONPATTRO® (patisiran). ONPATTRO® is currently approved
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`for the treatment of polyneuropathy caused by an illness called hereditary ATTR (hATTR)
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`amyloidosis. Alnylam has developed an additional delivery modality distinct from LNP
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`Technology, termed GalNAc Delivery, which is utilized in three marketed products, GIVLAARI®
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`(givosiran), approved in 2019, and OXLUMO® (lumasiran), approved in 2020, both marketed by
`
`Alnylam and LEQVIO®(inclisiran), approved in 2021, developed initially by Alnylam and
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`licensed to Novartis.
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`4.
`
`Alnylam has a long history of licensing or offering to license to third parties its
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`intellectual property, including the Alnylam LNP Technology and the GalNAc Technology.
`
`5.
`
`Upon information and belief, Defendant Pfizer Inc. is a company organized and
`
`existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal place of business at 235 East
`
`
`1
` ALC-0315’s chemical name
`hexyldecanoate). (Exhibit 5 at 22.)
`
`
`
`
`is
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`((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-
`
`2
`
`
`
`Case 1:22-cv-00336-UNA Document 1 Filed 03/17/22 Page 3 of 15 PageID #: 3
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`42nd Street, New York, New York 10017. The Biologic License Approval (“BLA”) Approval for
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`COMIRANTY® is addressed to Pfizer Inc., 235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017. (Exhibit
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`3 at 1.) Upon information and belief, all regulatory correspondence regarding Defendants’
`
`COVID-19 Vaccine is sent to Pfizer Inc.’s principal place of business. (Exhibit 3 at 1.) The
`
`prescribing information for COMIRNATY®2 states it is “[m]anufactured by Pfizer Inc.” (Exhibit
`
`4 at 20.) Upon information and belief, Defendant Pfizer Inc. maintains one or more facilities,
`
`including in Kalamazoo, Michigan, under the name PfizerCentre One, as a subsidiary of Pfizer
`
`Inc. and/or Defendant Pfizer Inc. is doing business as PfizerCentre One at one or more facilities,
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`including in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Upon information and belief, Pfizer Laboratories, a division
`
`of Defendant Pfizer Inc., prepared the package insert for COMIRNATY® that was accepted by the
`
`FDA. (Exhibit 7 at 19.) Upon information and belief, Defendant Pfizer Inc. recognizes the revenue
`
`from sales of Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine. (Exhibit 6 at 1, 4, 5, 14, 27, 29, 33-36.)
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`6.
`
`Upon information and belief, Defendant Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. LLC is a
`
`company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal place
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`of business at 100 Route 206 N, Peapack, New Jersey, 07977. Upon information and belief,
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`Defendant Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Defendant Pfizer Inc.
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`The BLA Approval Letter for COMIRNATY® states that, “[t]he final formulated product will be
`
`manufactured, filled, labeled and packaged . . . at Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, 7000
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`Portage Road, Kalamazoo, Michigan.” (Exhibit 3 at 1.)
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`7.
`
`On information and belief, Defendants Pfizer Inc. and Pharmacia & Upjohn Co.
`
`LLC are agents of each other and/or work in concert with each other with respect to the
`
`
`2 Defendants’ mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine is approved under the tradename COMIRNATY®.
`
`
`
`
`3
`
`
`
`Case 1:22-cv-00336-UNA Document 1 Filed 03/17/22 Page 4 of 15 PageID #: 4
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`development, regulatory approval, marketing, making, sales, offers for sale, import and export,
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`and distribution of Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine containing ALC-0315.
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`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
`
`8.
`
`This is an action for patent infringement arising under the patent laws of the United
`
`States, 35 U.S.C. § 1, et seq.
`
`9.
`
`This Court has jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338(a) because this is a
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`civil action arising under the Patent Act.
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`10.
`
`This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant Pfizer Inc. because it is a
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`Delaware corporation.
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`11.
`
`This Court also has jurisdiction over Defendant Pfizer Inc. because, upon
`
`information and belief, it directly or indirectly makes, uses, offers for sale, and/or sells Defendants’
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`COVID-19 Vaccine, containing ALC-0315, throughout the United States, including in this judicial
`
`district.
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`12.
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`This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. LLC
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`because it is a Delaware corporation.
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`13.
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`This Court also has jurisdiction over Defendant Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. LLC
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`because, upon information and belief, it directly or indirectly makes, uses, offers for sale, and/or
`
`sells Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine, containing ALC-0315, throughout the United States,
`
`including in this judicial district.
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`14.
`
`Venue is proper in this Court under 28 U.S.C. § 1400(b) because Defendant Pfizer
`
`Inc. is a Delaware corporation.
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`15.
`
`Venue is proper in this Court under 28 U.S.C. § 1400(b) because Defendant
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`Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. LLC is a Delaware corporation.
`
`
`
`
`4
`
`
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`Case 1:22-cv-00336-UNA Document 1 Filed 03/17/22 Page 5 of 15 PageID #: 5
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`BACKGROUND
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`RNA THERAPEUTICS
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`The promise of RNA-based therapeutics (including RNAi and mRNA) has long
`
`A.
`
`16.
`
`been known, but scientists have struggled for decades to translate the promise into successful
`
`human therapeutics. The main challenge scientists around the world struggled with was how to
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`deliver the fragile, negatively charged RNA into the body’s cells in a safe, effective, and non-toxic
`
`way. (Exhibit 8 at 1-2.)
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`17.
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`One approach was to develop a lipid3 system for use with RNA-based therapeutics.
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`These lipids would form a nanoparticle, called a Lipid Nanoparticle or LNP. The LNP would
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`encapsulate and protect the fragile RNA upon administration to the body so the RNA could be
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`delivered to the cells where the RNA would provide its therapeutic effect. Because the RNA is
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`negatively charged, the lipids had to be positively charged (cationic) to create the protective bubble
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`around the RNA. Cationic lipids do not exist in nature, and therefore had to be synthesized. There
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`were toxicity issues with early attempts to use them in therapeutics due to the high dose of LNP
`
`needed to be effective.
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`18.
`
`To harness the full promise and power of LNPs to deliver revolutionary RNA
`
`therapies, scientists needed to develop a more potent LNP system that could safely and effectively
`
`deliver the RNA to the target cells, and then be metabolized and eliminated from the body.
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`19.
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`Alnylam overcame some of the issues associated with earlier versions of LNPs
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`using an in-licensed LNP system containing the cationic lipid compound known as MC3, a highly
`
`potent molecule. With MC3, Alnylam developed ONPATTRO®. MC3, while safe and effective,
`
`is more stable in the body and thus has a relatively long half-life. Alnylam recognized the need
`
`
`3 A lipid is a molecule that is minimally soluble in water while soluble in nonpolar solvents.
`Examples include macro biomolecules such as fats, oils, certain vitamins, and hormones.
`
`
`
`
`5
`
`
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`Case 1:22-cv-00336-UNA Document 1 Filed 03/17/22 Page 6 of 15 PageID #: 6
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`for further improvements in LNP technology and internally embarked on a research program to
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`develop a new class of lipids with improved properties.
`
`B.
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`ALNYLAM’S BREAKTHROUGH BIODEGRADABLE LNP TECHNOLOGY FOR
`DELIVERY OF RNA TO CELLS
`
`20.
`
`Over a decade ago, Alnylam scientists solved these pressing issues by inventing a
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`new class of non-natural LNPs comprising a cationic lipid with biodegradable groups (i.e., the
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`Alnylam LNP Technology). LNPs with these biodegradable groups protect the RNA until delivery
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`to inside the cell, and then are metabolized and eliminated from the body ensuring no dose-limiting
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`toxicity. Alnylam’s seminal work to create these novel biodegradable LNPs has been employed
`
`in potential RNA therapeutics in development and now mRNA-based vaccines.
`
`C.
`
`21.
`
`THE PATENT-IN-SUIT
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`Alnylam filed a series of provisional and utility patent applications on its novel
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`cationic biodegradable lipids. Utility applications disclosing these novel cationic biodegradable
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`lipids published on February 2, 2012 and August 1, 2013. Twenty-two patents world-wide have
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`issued to Alnylam based on these groundbreaking inventions described in its provisional and utility
`
`patent applications.
`
`22.
`
`On February 15, 2022, The United States Patent & Trademark Office issued the
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`’933 Patent, entitled “Biodegradable Lipids for the Delivery of Active Agents.” The ’933 Patent
`
`issued to Alnylam as assignee of the named inventors Martin Maier, Muthusamy Jayaraman, Akin
`
`Akinc, Shigeo Matsuda, Pachamuthu Kandasamy, Kallanthottathil G. Rajeev, and Muthiah
`
`Manoharan.
`
`23.
`
`The ’933 Patent claims a class of cationic biodegradable lipids that can be used in
`
`the formation of LNPs for the delivery of an active agent, including mRNA. Each cationic lipid
`
`contains one or more biodegradable group.
`
`
`
`
`6
`
`
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`Case 1:22-cv-00336-UNA Document 1 Filed 03/17/22 Page 7 of 15 PageID #: 7
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`24.
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`Independent claim 18 of the ’933 Patent is representative and recites:
`
`A cationic lipid comprising a primary group and two biodegradable
`hydrophobic tails, wherein
`
`the primary group comprises (i) a head group that optionally comprises
`a primary, secondary, or tertiary amine, and (ii) a central moiety to which the head
`group and the two biodegradable hydrophobic tails are directly bonded;
`
`the central moiety is a central carbon or nitrogen atom;
`
`each biodegradable hydrophobic tail independently has the formula -
`(hydrophobic chain)(biodegradable group )-(hydrophobic chain), wherein the
`biodegradable group is -OC(O)- or -C(O)O-;
`
`terminal
`the
`tail,
`least one biodegradable hydrophobic
`for at
`hydrophobic chain in the biodegradable hydrophobic tail is a branched alkyl, where
`the branching occurs at the α-position relative to the biodegradable group and the
`biodegradable hydrophobic tail has the formula -R12-M1-R13, where R12 is a C4-C14
`alkylene or C4-C14 alkenylene, M1 is the biodegradable group, R13 is a branched
`C10-C20 alkyl, and the total carbon atom content of the tail -R12-M1-R13 is 21 to 26;
`
`in at least one hydrophobic tail, the biodegradable group is separated
`from a terminus of the hydrophobic tail by from 6 to 12 carbon atoms; and
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`the lipid has a pKa in the range of about 4 to about 11 and a logP of at
`
`least 10.1.
`
`(Exhibit 1 at 538:13-38.)
`
`25.
`
`The ’933 Patent has been owned by Alnylam at all times, is fully maintained, and
`
`is valid and enforceable.
`
`D.
`
`26.
`
`DEFENDANTS’ COVID-19 VACCINE
`
`On March 17, 2020, Defendant Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE (“BioNTech”)
`
`announced a plan to jointly develop a COVID-19 vaccine. (Exhibit 9 at 2.) A redacted copy of
`
`the Collaboration Agreement by and between Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech, dated March 17, 2020, is
`
`publicly available. (Exhibit 10.) Under the Collaboration Agreement, Defendant Pfizer Inc. has
`
`the sole right in the United States to “market, promote, distribute, offer for sale, sell, have sold,
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`import, have imported, export, have exported or otherwise commercialize” Defendants’ COVID-
`
`
`
`
`7
`
`
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`Case 1:22-cv-00336-UNA Document 1 Filed 03/17/22 Page 8 of 15 PageID #: 8
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`19 Vaccine. (Exhibit 10, §1.25 (defining “Commercialize”); §1.6 (defining “BioNTech
`
`Commercialization Territory”); §1.88 (defining “Pfizer Commercialization Territory”).) Under
`
`the Collaboration Agreement, Defendant Pfizer Inc. has the right in the United States to “make,
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`produce, manufacture, process, fill, finish, package, label, perform quality assurance testing,
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`release, ship or store, and for the purposes of further manufacturing, distribute, import or export”
`
`Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine or “any component
`
`thereof.”
`
` (Id., §1.75 (defining
`
`“Manufacture”); §3.2 (“Licenses for Commercial Manufacturing”).)
`
`27.
`
`On April 9, 2020, Defendants provided additional details about this collaboration,
`
`including that “BioNTech will contribute multiple mRNA vaccine candidates as part of its
`
`BNT162 COVID-19 vaccine program” and that “Pfizer will contribute its leading global vaccine
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`clinical research and development, regulatory, manufacturing and distribution infrastructure and
`
`capabilities.” (Exhibit 9 at 1.)
`
`28.
`
`On April 22, 2020, Defendants announced their first clinical trial in Germany of
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`four mRNA vaccine candidates. (Exhibit 11 at 1.) Each vaccine candidate used an LNP to deliver
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`the mRNA. (Id.)
`
`29.
`
`On May 5, 2020, Defendants announced that the first doses of Defendants’ four
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`vaccine candidates were administered to individuals in the United States as part of Defendants’
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`Phase 1/2 clinical trial. (Exhibit 12 at 1.) Defendants stated that “Pfizer plans to activate its
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`extensive manufacturing network and invest at risk in an effort to produce an approved COVID-
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`19 vaccine as quickly as possible for those most in need around the world. . . . Pfizer-owned sites
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`in three U.S. states (Massachusetts, Michigan and Missouri) and Puurs, Belgium, have been
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`identified as manufacturing centers for COVID-19 vaccine production, with more sites to be
`
`selected.” (Id. at 2.)
`
`
`
`
`8
`
`
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`Case 1:22-cv-00336-UNA Document 1 Filed 03/17/22 Page 9 of 15 PageID #: 9
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`30.
`
`On July 13, 2020, Defendants announced that the FDA granted Fast Track
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`Designations to two of Defendants’ candidate vaccines. (Exhibit 13 at 1.) Peter Honig, Pfizer’s
`
`Senior Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs, commented “[w]e look forward to continue
`
`working closely with the FDA throughout the clinical development of this program, Project
`
`Lightspeed, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these vaccine candidates.” (Id. at 1-2.)
`
`31.
`
`On July 27, 2020, Defendants announced that they had advanced the “nucleoside-
`
`modified messenger RNA (modRNA) candidate BNT162b2,4 which encodes an optimized SARS-
`
`CoV-2 full-length spike glycoprotein, at a 30µg dose level in a 2 dose regimen into Phase 2/3
`
`Study.” (Exhibit 14 at 1.) Upon information and belief, the vaccine that Defendants selected
`
`contains the infringing ALC-0315 cationic lipid.
`
`32.
`
`On November 18, 2020, Defendants announced that their Phase 3 clinical trial met
`
`all primary efficacy endpoints. (Exhibit 15 at 1.) Defendants stated that “[f]our of Pfizer’s
`
`facilities are part of the manufacturing and supply chain; St. Louis, MO; Andover, MA; and
`
`Kalamazoo, MI in the U.S.; and Puurs in Belgium.” (Id. at 2.)
`
`33.
`
`On December 11, 2020, the FDA authorized Defendants’ BNT162b2 candidate
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`with the infringing ALC-0315 cationic LNP (Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine) for emergency use
`
`against COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age or older. (Exhibit 16 at 1.) Upon information
`
`and belief, every dose of Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine sold pursuant to this emergency use
`
`authorization contains the infringing ALC-0315 cationic lipid. Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief
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`Executive Officer of Pfizer said, “As a U.S. company, today’s news brings great pride and
`
`tremendous joy that Pfizer has risen to the challenge to develop a vaccine that has the potential to
`
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`4 Upon information and belief, BNT162b2 was the code name for Defendants’ mRNA COVID-19
`Vaccine during clinical trials. (Exhibit 5 at 21.)
`
`
`
`
`9
`
`
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`Case 1:22-cv-00336-UNA Document 1 Filed 03/17/22 Page 10 of 15 PageID #: 10
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`help bring an end to this devastating pandemic. We have worked tirelessly to make the impossible
`
`possible, steadfast in our belief that science will win.” (Exhibit 16 at 1-2.)
`
`34.
`
`On May 11, 2021, the FDA authorized Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine for
`
`emergency use against COVID-19 in children ages twelve to fifteen. (Exhibit 17 at 1.) Upon
`
`information and belief, every dose of Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine sold pursuant to this
`
`emergency use authorization contains the infringing ALC-0315 cationic lipid.
`
`35.
`
`On August 23, 2021, the FDA approved Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine under the
`
`tradename COMIRNATY® for use in individuals sixteen and over. (Exhibit 18 at 1.) Upon
`
`information and belief, every dose of Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine sold under the tradename
`
`COMIRNATY® contains the infringing ALC-0315 cationic lipid.
`
`36.
`
`On October 29, 2021, the FDA authorized Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine for
`
`emergency use against COVID-19 in children ages five to eleven. (Exhibit 19 at 1.) Upon
`
`information and belief, every dose of Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine sold pursuant to this
`
`emergency use authorization contains the infringing ALC-0315 cationic lipid.
`
`37.
`
`Upon information and belief, on December 16, 2021, the FDA approved a new
`
`formulation of Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine under the tradename COMIRNATY® (gray cap)
`
`in individuals sixteen and over. (Exhibit 22 at 1, Exhibit 23; see also Exhibit 4 at 1.) Upon
`
`information and belief, Defendants continue to market their prior COVID-19 Vaccine formulation
`
`under the tradename COMIRNATY® (purple cap) for use in individuals sixteen and over. (Exhibit
`
`24 at 1.) Upon information and belief, every dose of Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine sold under
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`
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`Case 1:22-cv-00336-UNA Document 1 Filed 03/17/22 Page 11 of 15 PageID #: 11
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`the tradename COMIRNATY® (gray cap and purple cap) 5 contains the infringing ALC-0315
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`cationic lipid.
`
`38.
`
`On February 8, 2022, Defendant Pfizer Inc. stated that it expected 2022 worldwide
`
`revenue of $32,000,000,000 for Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine. (Exhibit 6 at 29.) Defendant
`
`Pfizer Inc.’s reported revenues suggest that U.S. sales in 2021 accounted for approximately 21%
`
`of the sales of Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine in 2021. (Id. at 35.)
`
`E.
`
`ALNYLAM’S PATENTED LNP TECHNOLOGY IS ESSENTIAL TO DEFENDANTS’
`COVID-19 VACCINE
`
`39.
`
`The patented Alnylam LNP Technology is essential to the efficacy and safety of
`
`Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine. mRNA is very delicate and subject to rapid degradation by
`
`various enzymes upon administration. (Exhibit 8 at 2.) The large, negatively-charged mRNA
`
`strands also struggle to pass through the protective lipid membranes of cells. (Id.) Thus, to be
`
`effective, the mRNA strands require a delivery mechanism that can ensure that the mRNA strands
`
`are not degraded before delivery to the cell and can penetrate the cell. In addition, the LNP needs
`
`to be biodegradable, i.e., such that the LNPs are metabolized and eliminated after successful
`
`mRNA delivery to the cells, so as to enhance safety.
`
`40.
`
`Regarding these LNPs, Defendant Pfizer Inc.’s website states “[t]his tiny fat glob,
`
`known as a functional lipid, is actually one of four lipids that make up the lipid nanoparticles that
`
`go into the vaccine. Without these lipid nanoparticles, in fact, there could be no Pfizer-BioNTech
`
`mRNA vaccine. That’s because mRNA, which is the genetic material that teaches our cells to make
`
`the protein that will help our immune systems produce antibodies that helps to protect us from
`
`COVID-19, is incredibly delicate.” (Exhibit 20 (emphasis added) at 2.)
`
`
`5 The prescribing information for both versions state that Defendant Pfizer Inc. manufactures
`Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine. (Compare Exhibit 4 at 20 with Exhibit 24 at 22.)
`
`
`
`
`11
`
`
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`Case 1:22-cv-00336-UNA Document 1 Filed 03/17/22 Page 12 of 15 PageID #: 12
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`DEFENDANTS’ INFRINGING ACTIVITIES
`
`41.
`
`On information and belief, Defendants and/or their end users employ in their
`
`COVID-19 Vaccine ALC-0315, which meets every limitation of at least claims 18, 19, 21, 22, and
`
`24-27 of the ’933 Patent.
`
`42.
`
`The Prescribing Information for COMIRNATY® states that each dose contains ((4-
`
`hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate). (Exhibit 4 at 15.) Upon
`
`information and belief, this document was prepared by Defendants and accepted by the FDA for
`
`distribution to providers of Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine. Upon information and belief, 4-
`
`hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate) is known as ALC-0315.
`
`43.
`
`Upon information and belief, ALC-0315 has the chemical structure depicted just
`
`below:
`
`
`
`(Exhibit 21 at 8.)
`
`44.
`
`Upon information and belief, ALC-0315 is in every dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine
`
`that Defendants have made, offered for sale, and sold, and will continue to do so.
`
`45.
`
`Attached as Exhibit 2 is a preliminary claim chart describing Defendants’
`
`infringement of claims 18, 19, 21, 22, and 24-27 of the ’933 Patent. Exhibits 4, 5, 21, 25, and 26
`
`
`
`
`12
`
`
`
`Case 1:22-cv-00336-UNA Document 1 Filed 03/17/22 Page 13 of 15 PageID #: 13
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`are supporting documents for the chart. The claim chart is not intended to limit Alnylam’s right
`
`to modify the chart or allege that other activities of Defendants infringe the identified claim or any
`
`other claims of the ’933 Patent or any other patents.
`
`46.
`
`Defendants have known of the ’933 Patent since at least as early as February 15,
`
`2022, when the ’933 Patent issued.
`
`FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
`(Infringement of the ’933 Patent)
`
`47.
`
`Alnylam realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the
`
`foregoing paragraphs.
`
`48.
`
`On information and belief, Defendants have infringed and will continue to infringe
`
`at least one of the asserted claims of the ’933 Patent, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 271(a), literally or
`
`under the doctrine of equivalents, by making, using, selling, or offering to sell within the United
`
`States or importing into the United States Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine containing ALC-0315
`
`without authority.
`
`49.
`
`Defendants without authority have infringed and will continue to infringe at least
`
`one of the asserted claims of the ’933 Patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 271(b) by actively inducing
`
`the making, using, selling, or offering for sale within the United States or importing into the United
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`States Defendants’ COVID-19 Vaccine containing ALC-0315. Each Defendant intends that the
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`other Defendant makes, uses, sells, offers to sell, distributes, exports, and/or imports Defendants’
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`COVID-19 Vaccine and/or its components comprising the infringing ALC-0315 biodegradable
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`lipid with the knowledge and specific intent that the other Defendant will directly infringe
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`Alnylam’s ’933 Patent. Defendants further intend that each end user, distributor, importer and/or
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`exporter make, use, sell, offer to sell, distribute, export, and/or import Defendants’ COVID-19
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`Vaccine and/or its components comprising the infringing ALC-0315 biodegradable lipid with the
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`Case 1:22-cv-00336-UNA Document 1 Filed 03/17/22 Page 14 of 15 PageID #: 14
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`knowledge and specific intent that such end user, distributor, importer, and/or exporter end-users
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`directly infringe Alnylam’s ’933 Patent.
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`50.
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`Defendants’ infringement has damaged and will continue to damage Alnylam,
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`which is entitled to recover the damages resulting from Defendants’ wrongful acts in an amount
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`to be determined at trial, and in any event no less than a reasonable royalty.
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`PRAYER FOR RELIEF
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`WHEREFORE, Alnylam prays for a judgment in its favor and against Defendants and
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`respectfully requests the following relief:
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`A.
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`B.
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`C.
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`A judgment that Defendants directly infringe the ’933 Patent;
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`A judgment that Defendants induce infringement of the ’933 Patent;
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`Damages or other monetary relief, including post-judgment monetary relief and
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`pre- and post-judgment interest;
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`D.
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`E.
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`Costs and expenses in this action; and
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`An order awarding Alnylam any such other relief as the Court may deem just and
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`proper under the circumstances, except that Alnylam does not seek any form of injunctive relief.
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`JURY DEMAND
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`Pursuant to Rule 38(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Alnylam hereby demands
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`a jury trial as to all issues so triable.
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`Case 1:22-cv-00336-UNA Document 1 Filed 03/17/22 Page 15 of 15 PageID #: 15
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`MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY LLP
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`
`/s/ Ethan H. Townsend
`Ethan H. Townsend (#5813)
`The Nemours Building
`1007 North Orange Street, 10th Floor
`Wilmington, DE 19801
`(302) 485-3910
`ehtownsend@mwe.com
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`Attorneys for Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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`OF COUNSEL:
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`William G. Gaede, III
`MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY LLP
`415 Mission Street, Suite 5600
`San Francisco, CA 94105
`(650) 815-7400
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`Sarah Chapin Columbia
`Sarah J. Fischer
`MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY LLP
`200 Clarendon Street, Floor 58
`Boston, MA 02116-5021
`(617) 535-4000
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`Ian B. Brooks
`MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY LLP
`500 N. Capitol Street NW
`Washington, DC 20003
`(202) 756-8000
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`Dated: March 17, 2022
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