Moderna’s Covid Vaccine Targeted in New BioNTech Patent Suit (2)

Moderna Inc.'s mNexspike Covid-19 vaccine infringes BioNTech SE’s patent on an mRNA design that uses only key portions of the coronavirus spike protein rather than the full-length version, a federal lawsuit said.

BioNTech alleged that Moderna’s shot infringes US Patent No. 12,133,899, related to a streamlined mRNA vaccine design the German biotech said it developed while creating the Comirnaty Covid-19 shot with its partner Pfizer Inc., which isn’t a party in the new suit.

“Moderna is aware of the litigation and will defend ourselves against these claims,” a Moderna spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

The suit reflects ...