Moderna sues Pfizer, BioNTech for patent infringement of COVID-19 vaccine technology

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) - US biotechnology firm Moderna is suing rivals Pfizer and BioNTech for infringing patents central to its COVID-19 vaccine technology.

In the statement on Friday, the US pharmaceutical accused Pfizer and BioNTech of copying its "groundbreaking technology" in the development of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine without Moderna's permission.

The lawsuit, which seeks compensation, was filed in the US district court in Massachusetts and the regional court of Dusseldorf in Germany.

"We are filing these lawsuits to protect the innovative mRNA technology platform that we pioneered, invested billions of dollars in creating, and patented during the decade preceding the COVID-19 pandemic," said Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel.

Moderna is using its mRNA technology platform to develop medicines that could treat and prevent infectious diseases like influenza and HIV, as well as autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases and rare forms of cancer, Bancel added.

"We believe that Pfizer and BioNTech unlawfully copied Moderna's inventions, and they have continued to use them without permission," said Moderna Chief Legal Officer Shannon Thyme Klinger.