Moderna Loses Challenge of Arbutus Patent on Vaccine Technology

Moderna lost its argument that Arbutus Biopharma’s patent 8,058,069 is invalid, U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board said in opinion posted on its electronic docket.

• Moderna “has not demonstrated” that the patent shouldn’t have issued, review board said
• Patent relates to stable nucleic acid-lipid particles (SNALP) for delivery of a small interfering RNA (siRNA)
• Analysts have said the technology could be used in development of vaccines
• Moderna claimed Arbutus has used overlapping claims in different patents to extend its patent protection and limit research
• Arbutus argued that the patent, which covers Alnylam’s Onpattro to improve nerve function, is ...