Moderna sued by Northwestern University over vaccine patents

Zylem Biosciences announced that Northwestern University has filed a lawsuit against Moderna (MRNA), alleging infringement of key patents related to mRNA vaccine technologies. The lawsuit, filed on October 16, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, asserts that Moderna “has unlawfully utilized patented Lipid Nanoparticle technologies developed at Northwestern University. These technologies have been critical to the success of mRNA vaccines, including those used in combating COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus.” According to the claim, Moderna’s use of these LNP technologies infringes on multiple patents owned by Northwestern University and licensed to Zylem Biosciences, the company said. The lawsuit seeks damages “to prevent further unauthorized use of the patented innovations but does not seek any injunctive relief.”