Core Viewpoint - Bayer and its Monsanto division are suing COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, claiming they used patented technology developed by Monsanto in the 1980s without permission [1][3]. Group 1: Lawsuits and Allegations - Bayer alleges that Pfizer, BioNTech, and Moderna improperly utilized technology that Monsanto developed to make plants resistant to insects, which was incorporated into their vaccines to enhance mRNA stability and immunity [3]. - The lawsuits were filed on January 6 in a U.S. court in Delaware, seeking damages for patent infringement [3]. - Bayer is not seeking to halt vaccine production but is requesting monetary compensation for the alleged infringement, stating that the defendants have profited significantly from vaccine sales [4]. Group 2: Financial Impact - Pfizer reported earnings of $11.2 billion in 2023 from its COVID-19 vaccine, highlighting the substantial financial gains made by vaccine manufacturers during the pandemic [5]. - BioNTech acknowledged the lawsuit but declined to comment further, while Moderna stated it would defend against the claims [5][6]. Group 3: Additional Legal Actions - Bayer has also filed a separate lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, claiming infringement related to its COVID-19 vaccine, which utilized DNA delivery rather than mRNA [6]. - The complaint against Johnson & Johnson asserts that its vaccine's effectiveness relied on the patented technology developed by Bayer [7]. - A previous ruling in England found that Pfizer infringed on a Moderna patent, indicating ongoing legal disputes within the vaccine industry [8].
Monsanto Sues COVID-19 Vaccine Manufacturers, Alleging Copyright Infringement