Bayer sues COVID vaccine makers over mRNA technology

Bayer filed patent lawsuits against Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna alleging use of Monsanto-developed mRNA stability technology, and brought a separate suit against Johnson & Johnson.

Bayer filed patent infringement complaints in U.S. federal courts on Jan. 6 against Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna, reporting that those companies used technology Monsanto developed to strengthen mRNA. The company also filed a separate suit against Johnson & Johnson in New Jersey, citing a different process it says infringes the same patent. Bayer said it seeks monetary damages and is not aiming to block vaccine manufacturing. The cases join other existing legal disputes over COVID-19 vaccine technology. Key facts: - Bayer filed suits in Delaware federal court naming Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna and alleging use of Monsanto-developed techniques to improve mRNA stability. - A separate lawsuit was filed in New Jersey against Johnson & Johnson alleging infringement related to a DNA-based manufacturing process. - Bayer requested unspecified monetary damages and stated it was not seeking injunctions to stop vaccine production. - The complaints say Monsanto scientists developed methods in the 1980s to reduce mRNA instability in crops and that related techniques were used in vaccine manufacture. - The filings add to ongoing patent litigation over COVID-19 vaccines, including prior suits between other manufacturers. Summary: The lawsuits extend a broader set of patent disputes tied to COVID-19 vaccine technology and identify major vaccine makers as defendants. Undetermined at this time.