University of Pennsylvania sues BioNTech over COVID-19 vaccine royalties

Reuters reports that the University of Pennsylvania has sued the German biotechnology company BioNTech in federal court in Pennsylvania, accusing the company of underreporting licensing fees for patents covering the university's technology used in COVID-19 vaccines.

According to Reuters, the authors of the lawsuit argue that BioNTech owes the university a larger portion of worldwide vaccine sales. BioNTech utilizes a method developed by University of Pennsylvania professors and Nobel Prize laureates Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman.

Reuters adds that BioNTech did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. A university spokesperson said the school is "seeking full royalty payments under patent licensing agreements that enabled BioNTech to develop its marketed COVID vaccine."

The lawsuit states that BioNTech paid royalties only for vaccines sold in countries where the university holds a patent. In contrast, it must pay royalties for all vaccines manufactured in countries where the University of Pennsylvania has patents under the agreement, according to Reuters.

Reuters adds that the university has asked the court for monetary damages and an order compelling BioNTech to perform under the agreement.

Last year, the European Commission reached an agreement with BioNTech/Pfizer regarding COVID-19 vaccines. This includes reducing their deliveries and extending the period in which EU member states can receive them.