Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna lose bid to dismiss Bayer patent case

A federal judge in Delaware has decided not to dismiss patent lawsuits filed by Bayer’s Monsanto unit against Pfizer, BioNTech, and Moderna. The lawsuits, filed in January, allege that the vaccine manufacturers utilized technology developed by Monsanto in the 1980s for enhancing mRNA in crops. Bayer claims this technology was employed to stabilize genetic material in the companies’ COVID-19 vaccines.

The vaccine producers argue their manufacturing processes differ from Bayer’s. Moderna further contends the patent covers an unpatentable law of nature. Pfizer, BioNTech, and Moderna's representatives have not yet commented on the ruling. This decision was reached by US Circuit Judge William Bryson, who ruled that the vaccine manufacturers have not demonstrated at this stage that the patent is invalid or that their vaccines infringe upon it. The story was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor.