COVID vaccines: BioNTech sues Moderna for patent infringement

German biopharmaceutical company BioNTech sued Moderna in federal court in Delaware on Thursday, claiming that Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine infringes on a patent related to a competing vaccine from BioNTech and Pfizer.

The lawsuit states that Moderna's next-generation COVID-19 vaccine, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2025, infringes on BioNTech's rights to technology for a simplified mRNA-based vaccine design that can be administered to patients in lower doses.

On the other hand, Moderna sued BioNTech and its partner Pfizer in 2022 for patent infringement in connection with the Comiraty vaccine, and the lawsuit is still ongoing.

Both cases are part of a wave of patent lawsuits by biotech companies seeking licensing fees for the technology used in vaccines.

A spokesperson for Moderna said the company will defend itself in court.

(reuters, im)