Covid 19 vaccine developed in Bangladesh gets U.S. patent

A Covid 19 vaccine developed in Bangladesh has been granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), marking the first-ever U.S. pharmaceutical patent acquired by a Bangladeshi company.

Dhaka-based Globe Biotech first filed the patent application for the vaccine Bangavax, formerly Bancovid, in the U.S. in September 2021. The company reported around 30 claims. USPTO granted the patent on August 26, 2025.

Bangavax is the world’s only single-dose mRNA vaccine engineered to target various forms or variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The U.S. patent includes multiple invention claims which protect the nanotechnology-based mRNA vaccine platform used to develop Bangavax. “Crucially, the platform itself is versatile, meaning the underlying technology can be adapted to create other types of vaccines and treatments, therapeutics, in the future,” said Rajin Ahmed, advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.

What does this milestone mean for Globe Biotech, for Bangladesh and its pharmaceutical sector?

According to Ahmed, the U.S. patent strongly enhances Bangladesh’s global pharmaceutical position in three ways.

First, this important development is a powerful, symbolic signal of Bangladesh’s potential to contribute to global medical innovation. “It shows that a laboratory in Bangladesh can create technology that the USPTO judges to be novel and non-obvious. This validation is essential for increasing scientific prestige and building investor confidence in Bangladesh’s hopes for expanding its life sciences research and development (R&D) sector,” Ahmed stated.

Second, it presents a commercial opportunity. Obviously, the U.S. patent is legally and commercially valuable. It grants the holder the right to exclude other entities and individuals from making, using, selling or importing the invention within the U.S. Thus, the benefits that will accrue to Globe Biotech will be immense, especially when the company begins to seek export markets or partnerships with large multinational manufacturers and licensors. “Globe Biotech has publicly stated that securing this patent opens doors for both exports and for low-cost manufacturing of the vaccine within Bangladesh,” shared Ahmed.

Lastly, it provides Globe Biotech with technology leverage. “If the patent protection is broad – covering the fundamental technology platform rather than just narrow formulation details – it becomes a significant bargaining chip. This kind of technology leverage strengthens Globe Biotech’s position when negotiating for international deals, such as licensing arrangements, joint ventures or co-development agreements with larger global vaccine manufacturers. Such leverage is vital for securing the help needed to successfully scale up manufacture and distribution internationally,” Ahmed explained.

Bangladesh cannot rest on the laurels of a U.S. patent, however. There’s more work to be done, according to Ahmed. To support future success, he said local policy leaders must create better supporting infrastructure, including stronger tech transfer offices, dedicated funding for expensive late-stage clinical trials and for developing the legal expertise required for managing an international IP strategy.

“To amplify this win, the government can offer incentives for R&D, simplify regulations for clinical trials and assist promising local innovators by helping cover the high costs associated with securing international patents. This will ensure that this historic success leads to lasting growth in Bangladesh’s global standing,” Ahmed advised.