Venue Could Be Worth Billions in Covid Vaccine Royalty Clash

Billions of dollars in royalties from Moderna Inc.'s Covid-19 vaccine sales under a contract with the US government could ride on which court ultimately handles the patent-infringement suit, the plaintiffs told a federal judge.

Arbutus Biopharma Corp. and Genevant Sciences GmbH on Thursday made their argument in response to an order of the US District Court for the District of Delaware that the parties address how the government’s statement of interest last month affects the case’s scheduling.

The US, echoing Moderna’s failed bid for dismissal, said the suit should be tossed because the vaccine was developed for the government and, ...