In a high-profile patent trial in London, Moderna takes Pfizer and BioNTech to court over the use of mRNA technology in COVID-19 vaccines, potentially reshaping future development in biotechnology.
Moderna, Pfizer, and BioNTech are currently engaged in a patent trial at the High Court in London, focusing on the use of messenger RNA (mRNA) technology in their COVID-19 vaccines. Moderna has accused Pfizer and BioNTech of infringing on its patents with their vaccine, Comirnaty, and is seeking damages for products made after March 7, 2022. In response, Pfizer and BioNTech have challenged the validity of two Moderna patents. The trial, which began recently and is expected to last three and a half weeks, addresses significant legal and technological issues surrounding mRNA technology, which has also been applied in other medical fields such as cancer and autoimmune diseases.
The legal dispute also considers Moderna’s “patent pledge,” originally made in 2020 during the pandemic, and its later amendment in 2022 as vaccine supplies increased. The outcome of this case could influence future mRNA technology use and development, shaping the trajectory of vaccine production and other treatments involving this technology. Legal experts note that the verdict, expected in the summer, may influence similar patent disputes globally and could significantly impact the involved companies’ standing in the biotechnology field.
