International
Moderna sues Pfizer, BioNTech for Covid-19 vaccine patent infringement
AFP
Moderna said Friday it is suing rival vaccine makers Pfizer and BioNTech, alleging the partners infringed on its patents in developing their Covid-19 shot administered to hundreds of millions around the world.
The lawsuits set up a high-stakes showdown between the leading manufacturers of Covid-19 shots that are a key tool in the fight against the disease.
“Moderna believes that Pfizer and BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine Comirnaty infringes patents Moderna filed between 2010 and 2016 covering Moderna’s foundational mRNA technology,” the US-based biotech firm said in a statement.
“Pfizer and BioNTech copied this technology, without Moderna’s permission, to make Comirnaty,” Moderna said.
Pfizer and BioNTech said they have not fully reviewed the complaint, but expressed surprise over the litigation.
“The Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine was based on BioNTech’s proprietary mRNA technology,” a statement said. “We will vigorously defend against the allegations of the lawsuit.”
The mRNA technology used in the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech shots differs from that in traditional vaccines, which rely on injecting weakened or dead forms of a virus to allow the immune system to recognize it and build antibodies.
Instead, mRNA vaccines deliver instructions to cells to build a harmless piece of the spike protein found on the surface of the virus that causes Covid-19.
After creating this spike protein, cells can recognize and fight the real virus, hailed as a major advancement in development of vaccines.
– Key tool against deadly pandemic –
The shots have repeatedly been the subject of inaccurate claims that they are dangerous, but health authorities say they are both safe and effective.
The lawsuits — in US district court in Massachusetts, and in regional court in Dusseldorf, Germany — are not seeking the removal of the rival vaccine or an injunction on future sales.
Moderna said it had begun building up the technology in 2010 and patented work on coronaviruses in 2015 and 2016, which allowed for rollout of its shots in “record time” after the pandemic struck.
The virus has killed at least 6.48 million people worldwide since 2020 and made nearly 600 million ill, according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker.
In addition to death and suffering, the disease has led to a re-shaping of life ranging from a change in norms on working from home to a scrambling of supply chains and workforces.
Moderna said it pledged in October 2020 not to enforce its Covid-19-related patents while the pandemic continued, but less than two years later changed that stance as the fight shifted gears.
“Moderna expected companies such as Pfizer and BioNTech to respect its intellectual property rights and would consider a commercially reasonable license should they request one for other markets,” it said.
“Pfizer and BioNTech have failed to do so,” the firm added.
These types of lawsuits are not unheard of in the pharmaceutical industry, where patents can be worth billions of dollars, and can take years to resolve.
International
Mexican influencer “La Nicholette” kidnapped in exclusive area of Culiacán
The content creator known as “La Nicholette,” also referred to as “La Muchacha del Salado,” was kidnapped Tuesday afternoon in Isla Musalá, one of the most exclusive residential areas of Culiacán, capital of the northern Mexican state of Sinaloa, according to local media reports on Wednesday.
The abduction was captured by the security camera of the young woman’s vehicle, a lilac-colored Tesla Cybertruck, which was later found abandoned at the scene.
Video footage circulating on social media shows a masked man carrying a long firearm preventing the influencer from entering her vehicle, while another individual forces her into a white sedan, reportedly an older-model Toyota Corolla.
According to media reports, the incident occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. local time (2300 GMT) at the intersection of Tachichilte Avenue and San Esteban Street, within the Musalá residential area.
Authorities have not yet released official details regarding the victim’s whereabouts or the motives behind the kidnapping.
International
Major winter storm to blanket U.S. and Canada with snow, ice and arctic cold
A major winter storm — the strongest of the season so far — is threatening large areas of the United States and Canada, bringing heavy snowfall, ice accumulation and an Arctic cold wave expected to affect millions of people, particularly toward the end of the week.
“A large winter storm will produce heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain from the southern Rockies through the Plains and the south-central region beginning Friday, then move eastward toward the East Coast by Sunday,” the U.S. Weather Prediction Center (WPC) warned.
The storm is expected to begin with intense snowfall in Colorado on Friday and spread eastward, leaving a wide snow band across Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee, before reaching the East Coast and impacting major cities such as Washington, Boston and New York.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), temperatures could drop below -10°C (14°F) even in parts of the southeastern United States. However, the most serious concern is the wind chill, as strong winds accompanying the storm could drive perceived temperatures down to below -45°C (-49°F) in some areas.
Forecasters warn that these well-below-average temperatures could persist through the end of January and into early February, particularly across the Ohio Valley and parts of the East Coast.
Snow accumulations are expected to exceed 15 centimeters (six inches) in cities such as New York and Washington, raising concerns about travel disruptions, power outages and hazardous conditions.
International
Trump announces preliminary NATO agreement on Greenland, suspends tariffs on Europe
The President of the United States confirmed that the agreement will be beneficial for all members of the Atlantic Alliance and has halted the trade sanctions previously threatened against Europe.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday from Davos, Switzerland, a preliminary agreement with NATO regarding Greenland, describing it as “very good for the United States and all NATO countries.” He also confirmed the suspension of tariffs that his administration had warned it would impose on eight European countries starting February 1.
In a statement published on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the agreement followed a productive meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and establishes a framework for a future joint solution concerning Greenland and the Arctic region.
“This solution, if implemented, will be very beneficial to the United States of America and to all NATO countries,” the president stated, underscoring the strategic importance of the Danish autonomous territory, which has been at the center of heightened diplomatic tensions in recent weeks.
Trump added that the preliminary understanding also includes discussions related to the Golden Dome missile defense system, particularly in the context of Greenland. He noted that further details would be released as negotiations progress.
As a result of the agreement, the administration suspended the tariffs it had previously announced against countries such as Germany, France and Denmark, which Trump had criticized for conducting military exercises on the Arctic island without prior coordination with Washington.
The president assigned Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoffto lead the negotiations, stating that he will receive direct updates on their progress.
The announcement marks a new chapter in U.S.-European tensions over Arctic geopolitics, particularly regarding Greenland, a territory Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring for global security and strategic defense reasons.
Mexican influencer “La Nicholette” kidnapped in exclusive area of Culiacán
Major winter storm to blanket U.S. and Canada with snow, ice and arctic cold
Trump announces preliminary NATO agreement on Greenland, suspends tariffs on Europe
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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