US biotech company Gilead has filed legal actions against China's Academy of Military Medical Sciences at the UPC targeting a patent held by the Chinese Academy of Military Medical Sciences that could interfere with sales of the COVID-19 drug remdesivir. Gilead has now taken the initiative in Europe.

The European Patent Office (EPO) recently granted EP 3854403. The patent belongs to the Academy of Military Medical Sciences based in Beijing and protects the use of substituted aminopropionate compounds in the treatment of SARS-Cov-2 infections. This means it is potentially a threat to the sale of remdesivir. Gilead developed the drug under the brand name Veklury as a broad-spectrum medication. It was originally intended for the treatment of Ebola virus disease and Marburg virus infection, however, since the COVID-19 pandemic, it has primarily been used as a post-infection treatment for COVID-19.

Gilead launches two-pronged attack

EP403 has become a thorn in Gilead’s side.  Gilead filed an opposition directly with the European Patent Office (EPO) after the authorization of the Unitary Patent in early June. Then Gilead filed a supplementary lawsuit with the Central Division of the UPC in Milan, requesting the revocation of the patent within the UPC's jurisdiction (Case No. ACT_29152/2025). Gilead hopes for a rapid UPC ruling.

From IPRdaily

September 1st, 2025