Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALNY) and Moderna, Inc. (MRNA) have reached an agreement in their ongoing patent infringement litigation. The dispute, which began in 2022, stemmed from Alnylam’s claim that Moderna violated a newly obtained patent related to mRNA technology used in their COVID-19 vaccine.
Alnylam’s lawsuit centered around its patent for lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology, a method for delivering genetic material into human cells. The company alleged that Moderna’s vaccine delivery system infringed upon their patent. However, after the court analyzed specific claim terms, Alnylam acknowledged that Moderna’s vaccine formulation did not infringe on their patent claims.
The court’s interpretation of the claim terms led Alnylam to concede, resulting in a stipulation that favors Moderna. The settlement allows for a judgment to be entered in Moderna’s favor, confirming that its currently formulated COVID-19 vaccine does not infringe on Alnylam’s patents.
Both parties have agreed to dismiss the counterclaims and affirmative defenses raised by Moderna, but these dismissals are without prejudice, meaning that further legal action could be taken in the future if necessary. Similarly, the stipulation is without prejudice to either party’s rights in case of an appeal or remand, offering flexibility for potential future developments.
This settlement marks a significant development in the legal battle surrounding Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. It highlights the complexities of patent law and the ongoing challenges faced by companies developing innovative technologies.
Following the news, ALNY stock was down 0.38% at $271.25, and MRNA stock was down 1.95% at $61.93 at last check Thursday.
