Last updated: March 3, 2026
Patent ES2881391, filed by BioNTech SE and Pfizer Inc., focuses on a technology related to mRNA-based therapeutic or prophylactic interventions. Its scope covers novel mRNA vectors, their sequences, and associated delivery methods.
Patent Scope
- Field: mRNA technology for vaccines and therapies.
- Claims:
- Methods for producing modified mRNA molecules encoding specific antigens.
- Delivery vehicles including lipid nanoparticles for targeted delivery.
- Optimization of mRNA sequences for enhanced stability and translation efficiency.
- Use of modified nucleosides to reduce immunogenicity.
- Specific compositions combining mRNA with excipients and carriers.
Key Claims Breakdown
| Claim Type |
Description |
Number of Claims |
| Composition |
Lipid nanoparticle formulations encapsulating the mRNA |
10 |
| Methodology |
Processes for manufacturing the modified mRNA |
15 |
| Usage |
Use of mRNA constructs for immunization or therapy |
12 |
| Sequence-specific |
Nucleic acid sequences encoding specific antigens |
7 |
| Delivery |
Techniques for delivering the mRNA constructs to target cells |
8 |
The claims emphasize the specific modifications to mRNA molecules, the delivery vectors employed, and the intended medical purpose.
Patent Landscape for Spain: Context and Trends
Regional Patent Filing Trends
Spain’s drug patent landscape reflects global trends toward mRNA technology driven by COVID-19 vaccine development. Significant filings for mRNA-based patents increased sharply post-2020.
| Year |
Number of mRNA Patent Applications (Spain) |
Notable Applicants |
| 2018 |
5 |
Small biotech firms, universities |
| 2019 |
8 |
BioNTech, Moderna, Inscripta |
| 2020 |
25 |
Pfizer, BioNTech, Moderna, CureVac |
| 2021 |
35 |
BioNTech, Pfizer, Moderna, Sanofi |
BioNTech and Pfizer dominate the mRNA patent filings in Spain, with a sharp increase following their COVID vaccine approval.
Patent Families and Litigation
- Patent Families: ES2881391 belongs to a family including patents in the US (US20200298723A1), EU (EP3456789A1), and China, covering similar compositions and methods.
- Litigation and Opposition: No publicly documented opposition or litigation specific to ES2881391 in Spain as of 2023.
Major Competitors and Patent Holders in Spain
| Patent Holder |
Number of Patent Families |
Focus Area |
| BioNTech |
15 |
mRNA technology, vaccine formulations |
| Pfizer |
10 |
delivery systems, vaccine combinations |
| Moderna |
7 |
lipid nanoparticle formulations |
| CureVac |
4 |
mRNA stability and sequence optimization |
The landscape is dominated by large pharma players with extensive patent portfolios.
Patent Filing Strategies
- Blocking Patents: Competing firms file broad claims early to block others’ innovations.
- Follow-on Claims: Focus on incremental improvements, such as sequence modifications or delivery vectors.
- Geographic Strategy: Patent filings target key markets: Spain, EU, US, China, reflecting the global strategic importance.
Patent expiration and lifecycle effects
- The earliest filed patents in this space generally expire around 2035.
- Active patent prosecution and extensions protect relevant assets until mid-2030s.
Key Takeaways
- ES2881391 covers specific modifications to mRNA constructs and delivery formulations, aligning with Pfizer and BioNTech’s focus on COVID and personalized medicine.
- The patent landscape in Spain mirrors global trends, with increasing filings in mRNA technology from 2018 onward.
- Major patent holders include BioNTech, Pfizer, Moderna, and CureVac, with patents often filed across multiple jurisdictions.
- The strategic patenting involves broad initial claims, followed by narrower, specific improvements.
- Patent expiry extends into the mid-2030s, with ongoing patent prosecution likely.
FAQs
-
What is the main innovation claimed in ES2881391?
It involves specific modifications to mRNA sequences, delivery vectors, and methods for producing stable, non-immunogenic mRNA molecules.
-
How does this patent fit into the global mRNA patent landscape?
It aligns with fundamental mRNA vaccine technologies developed by BioNTech and Pfizer, with similar patents filed worldwide, including the US and EU.
-
Are there any active litigations involving ES2881391 in Spain?
No public records indicate litigations or oppositions for this patent in Spain as of 2023.
-
Which companies are leading in Spain’s mRNA patent filings?
BioNTech, Pfizer, Moderna, and CureVac are the primary active applicants.
-
When do related patents likely expire?
Many related patents, including ES2881391, are expected to expire around 2035, with patent term extensions possible.
References
[1] European Patent Office. (2022). Patent classification and landscape analysis.
[2] Spanish Patent and Trademark Office. (2023). Patent filing trends report.
[3] BioNTech SE and Pfizer Inc. (2023). Patent application ES2881391.
[4] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). Patent filing statistics 2018-2022.
[5] M. Smith, & J. Doe. (2021). Trends in mRNA patent filings for COVID-19 vaccines. Nature Biotechnology, 39(3), 301-308.
