GSK and CureVac to Receive $740M in Settlement of COVID Vaccine Patent Dispute with Pfizer and BioNTech.

GSK and CureVac are set to receive $740M and other payments as Pfizer and BioNTech have agreed to resolve a patent dispute over the COVID-19 vaccine. The settlement ends a legal battle between the companies, with GSK and CureVac's mRNA vaccine technology being used by Pfizer and BioNTech. The payment is a significant boost for CureVac, which has struggled to develop its vaccine technology. The settlement also resolves outstanding patent disputes between the companies.

GSK and CureVac have reached a significant agreement with Pfizer and BioNTech, resolving a long-standing patent dispute over mRNA vaccine technology. The settlement, announced on July 2, 2025, involves a total payment of $740 million to GSK and CureVac, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing legal battle between these companies.

The patent dispute, which has been ongoing for several years, revolved around intellectual property (IP) related to mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases, including COVID-19. CureVac, a German biotechnology company, had accused Pfizer and BioNTech of infringing on patents related to the engineering of mRNA molecules and specific vaccine formulations. In response, Pfizer and BioNTech counter-sued CureVac [1].

The settlement, which includes a cash payment of $370 million from CureVac to GSK, as well as a 1% royalty on US sales of influenza, COVID-19, and related combination mRNA vaccine products by BioNTech and Pfizer, is a significant boost for CureVac. The company has struggled to develop its vaccine technology and this settlement provides much-needed financial support [2].

In addition to the cash payment, GSK will also receive a 1% royalty on future sales of mRNA-based COVID-19 products by Pfizer and BioNTech outside the US, contingent upon the successful completion of BioNTech's acquisition of CureVac. The settlement also includes a reduction in royalties to be paid by GSK on potential future mRNA influenza, COVID-19, and influenza/COVID-19 combination products [3].

The settlement does not impact GSK's ongoing litigation against Pfizer and BioNTech for infringement of its own patents in the US and Europe. GSK will continue to pursue its legal claims against these companies [3].

The resolution of this patent dispute is a step forward in the complex landscape of mRNA vaccine IP. It demonstrates the potential for collaborative agreements to resolve long-standing legal battles and paves the way for future cooperation in the development of innovative medical technologies.

References:
[1] https://pharmaphorum.com/news/gsk-and-curevac-settle-mrna-patent-spat-pfizerbiontech
[2] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4482370-gsk-curevac-settle-patent-dispute-with-pfizer-biontech
[3] https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/gsk-get-370-mln-upfront-payment-curevac-mrna-patent-settlement