BioNTech has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Moderna in Delaware federal court, alleging that Moderna's mRNA-based COVID vaccine mNEXSPIKE violates its intellectual property rights. The German company claims Moderna's vaccine uses technology built on key innovations developed by BioNTech and its partner Pfizer, including low-dose effective mRNA construction. This legal battle represents a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute between the two pharmaceutical giants. BioNTech estimates that mNEXSPIKE could account for fifty-five percent of Moderna's COVID vaccine revenue during the 2025-26 respiratory virus season. This case is part of a broader pattern where both companies continue pursuing patent disputes over lucrative vaccine technologies, even as pandemic-related vaccine revenues have declined sharply from their peak.
