Pfizer, BMS to Supply Eliquis via Cost Plus; Vaccine Patent Suit Raises Royalty Risk
Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb will supply apixaban (Eliquis) through Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drug Company, offering the anticoagulant at a fixed markup over production cost to lower patient expenses. Separately, CureVac alleges Moderna’s Spikevax infringed eight U.S. mRNA stabilization patents acquired by BioNTech, seeking royalties that could affect Pfizer’s Comirnaty vaccine revenue.
1. Eliquis Distribution Agreement
Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb have agreed to supply apixaban (Eliquis) through Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drug Company, enabling patients to purchase the anticoagulant at a fixed markup over production cost. This distribution channel aims to lower out-of-pocket expenses, potentially boosting prescription volumes while applying pressure on traditional channel margins for the joint venture.
2. CureVac Sues Moderna Over mRNA Patents
German biotech CureVac filed suit in Delaware federal court alleging Moderna’s Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine infringes eight U.S. patents on mRNA stabilization technology acquired by BioNTech last year. CureVac is seeking royalties from Spikevax sales, a development that could extend royalty exposure to Pfizer’s partner BioNTech and reshape post-pandemic revenue expectations for the Comirnaty vaccine.