Arbutus Biopharma Corp., Warminster, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Moderna Inc. The claim seeks unspecified damages related to Moderna’s widely distributed COVID-19 vaccine. John George covered the action for the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Arbutus Biopharma Corp. took action with affiliate Genevant Sciences Corp. (of Vancouver) for recompense from Moderna and a Moderna affiliate. Genevant focuses on developing RNA-based therapeutics based on Arbutus technology.

The complaint alleges that Moderna infringed on six Arbutus patents in creating its COVID-19 vaccine MRNA-1273.

The patents relate to its nucleic acid-lipid particles and lipid vesicles, structures used to deliver therapeutics into cells.

“Arbutus and its licensee Genevant do not seek an injunction or otherwise seek to impede the sale, manufacture, or distribution of MRNA-1273,” said William Collier, Arbutus CEO. “However, we seek fair compensation for Moderna’s use of our patented technology that was developed with great effort and at great expense, without which Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine would not have been successful.”

Moderna denies the allegations, saying that its vaccine is the product of internal R&D efforts.

More on this story is at The Philadelphia Business Journal.