Moderna Patent Strike on Pfizer Sets Up Post-Covid Vaccine Feuds

Moderna Inc.’s Covid-19 vaccine lawsuit against Pfizer Inc. tees up an intellectual property fight that could secure the biotech company’s place as a major player in medical innovations—but also carries risk.

Moderna sued Pfizer Aug. 26 for allegedly infringing three of its patents related to messenger RNA, the genetic material at the heart of their vaccines. Attorneys and academics say the move heralds a shift in the future of mRNA technologies.

The company’s patents may cover technology that proves important in future vaccines as well. If it prevails against Pfizer, Moderna will be in a stronger position to license ...