Moderna Wins Landmark Patent Dispute

In a significant legal victory, Moderna has emerged victorious in a patent dispute against Biontech and Pfizer. A Dusseldorf court has ruled in favor of Moderna, mandating the disclosure of profits and compensation for the unauthorized use of its patented mRNA technology.

The Core of the Dispute

At the heart of the dispute was Moderna's claim that Biontech and Pfizer had utilized innovations developed by Moderna between 2010 and 2016 for their COVID-19 vaccine without proper authorization. The defendants argued that they had permission to use the patent until May 5, 2023, citing a statement Moderna made in 2020, which they linked to the World Health Organization's declaration ending the pandemic on that date. However, the court found that Moderna had revoked this authorization in March 2022.

What's Next?

While this ruling marks a pivotal moment for Moderna, the legal battle may not be over yet. The decision is not final, and there is a possibility that the case could be appealed, potentially bringing it before the Dusseldorf Higher Regional Court.