The European Patent Office has declared the mRNA patent of US vaccine maker Moderna invalid. This was reported by the German biotechnology company BioNTech. Moderna sued BioNTech and its American partner Pfizer last year for violating patents surrounding the mRNA technology. According to Moderna, the two companies allegedly used that protected technology without permission to develop their own corona vaccine.
“We understand and welcome the European Patent Office’s decision to revoke Moderna’s European patent,” the German biotech company said in a statement. “The decision is important because we believe that this and other Moderna patents do not meet the requirements and should never have been granted.”
Moderna started developing the mRNA technology in 2010. This technique is based on a recreated piece of the genetic code of the virus: the messenger RNA or mRNA. When it is introduced into the body of a healthy person, it recognizes it as if it were the actual disease and starts producing antibodies.
The company is demanding compensation from BioNTech and Pfizer, among other things, for the sales of their corona vaccine in rich countries and wants the companies to license the techniques developed by Moderna.
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