Moderna Says Feds Should’ve Been Sued in Vaccine Patent Dispute

Moderna Inc. is urging a Delaware federal court to throw out patent claims brought by Arbutus Biopharma Corp. and Genevant Sciences GmbH related to Moderna’s sale of Covid-19 vaccine doses to the U.S. government.

Genevant Sciences and Arbutus Biopharma sued Moderna in February, seeking royalties from Moderna’s sale of its Covid-19 vaccine. The companies allege Moderna’s vaccine uses their technology for a drug-delivery system without permission.

To the extent the patent claims are related to the sale of vaccine doses to the U.S. government, Moderna said in a Friday filing that Airbutus and Genevant sued the wrong party. It argues ...