Bayer sues covid vaccine makers over mRNA technology
German pharmaceutical and chemical company Bayer has filed lawsuits against the makers of the COVID-19 vaccine for allegedly infringing patents related to mRNA technology. Its subsidiary Monsanto on Tuesday sued Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna in federal court in the US state of Delaware.
According to Bayer, the companies were alleged to have wrongfully used technology developed by Monsanto in the 1980s to stabilise mRNA in agricultural crops, which they then used in the production of vaccines.
On the same day, Bayer also filed a separate lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson in federal court in New Jersey, alleging that the DNA-based manufacturing process used in its vaccine infringes its patent rights.
Moderna said it is aware of the lawsuit and will defend itself. Pfizer, BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Bayer was not involved in the development of the COVID-19 vaccines and is not seeking to stop their production, only financial compensation. The lawsuits widen the web of patent disputes surrounding vaccines that have generated billions of dollars in revenue for manufacturers during the pandemic.
(reuters, est)