Delaware: German biotech firm CureVac has filed a lawsuit against Moderna, alleging patent infringement related to COVID-19 vaccine technology. The case has been lodged in a federal court in Delaware.
The dispute centres on the use of messenger RNA (mRNA) technology in Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax. CureVac has claimed that Moderna copied its proprietary methods for stabilising mRNA, a key component in developing effective vaccines.
In the lawsuit, CureVac has sought damages in the form of royalties from sales of Spikevax, one of the most widely used COVID-19 vaccines globally.
The case has added to a growing wave of legal battles in the biotech industry, where companies are seeking compensation for technologies used during the pandemic. The rapid development of vaccines led to significant revenues, intensifying disputes over intellectual property.
BioNTech, which partnered with Pfizer to produce the Comirnaty vaccine, has also been involved in similar legal actions. BioNTech previously acquired CureVac and has filed a separate patent case against Moderna.
Moderna has acknowledged the lawsuit and stated that it will defend itself against the claims. The company has not provided further details on its legal strategy.
The CureVac case is part of a broader trend involving major pharmaceutical and biotech firms. Companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Bayer and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals have also pursued patent-related claims linked to COVID-19 technologies.
These disputes highlight the high stakes involved in vaccine innovation, particularly as mRNA technology continues to play a crucial role in modern medicine.
The outcome of the CureVac lawsuit could have significant implications for future licensing agreements, royalties and innovation in the biotech sector.
As the case proceeds, it is expected to draw close attention from industry stakeholders and legal experts, given its potential impact on intellectual property rights in global healthcare.
POPULAR | Iran says Hormuz cannot reopen as truce violations rise
