Moderna Challenged on Bid to Shift Covid-Shot Patent Costs to US

Moderna Inc. shouldn’t sidestep patent liability for its Covid-19 vaccine by invoking a law that shifts infringement costs to the government, a coalition of startups and inventors told a federal judge, warning the move could destabilize drug innovation and invite political meddling.

The Alliance of US Startups and Inventors for Jobs took no position on who should win Arbutus Biopharma Corp. and Genevant Sciences GmbH’s patent-infringement lawsuit over Moderna’s Spikevax shot, but expressed concern over Moderna’s position in an amicus brief in the US District Court for the District of Delaware.

“Moderna appears to be inviting the Court to take ...