SK bioscience, the biopharmaceutical subsidiary of South Korea's SK Group, announced on Wednesday that it has secured a "final victory" in a legal battle to invalidate a patent held by Moderna, the global developer of messenger-RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccines.
In 2023, SK bioscience filed a nullity suit contesting Moderna's patent, which covered modified nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleic acids, along with their applications. According to the company&rsquo;s press release, the patent was the only one officially registered in South Korea concerning mRNA manufacturing technology.
The company argued that the patent &ldquo;unfairly granted priority rights, which hindered the development of mRNA technology.&rdquo; The contested patent was regarded as a pivotal component in mRNA vaccine production and directly impacted SK bioscience&rsquo;s own research, including its development of GBP560, an mRNA-based Japanese encephalitis vaccine candidate.
SK bioscience has been working on the vaccine in partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a non-governmental organization established by American philanthropist Bill Gates. Over recent years, CEPI has provided funding amounting to US$357 million to various South Korean private and academic institutions, including SK bioscience.
A company spokesperson stated, &ldquo;If developed, SK bioscience&rsquo;s mRNA vaccines could be exported to developing countries in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Southeast Asia, regions where Moderna has not yet registered patents for its mRNA vaccines.&rdquo;
The Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board ruled in favour of SK bioscience last month. Moderna did not file an appeal within the designated legal period, thereby finalising the decision.
SK bioscience said the ruling would hasten its efforts in the global race to develop mRNA vaccine technology. The company aims to build an mRNA vaccine platform capable of addressing not only pandemics but a wider array of infectious diseases.
According to market research firm Nova One Advisor, the global mRNA therapeutics market is projected to surpass 84 trillion won (US$58.9 billion) by 2033.
(With inputs from IANS)
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SK bioscience secures key legal win over Moderna, clearing path for global mRNA vaccine development and exports

SK bioscience Wins Patent Case Against Moderna

SK bioscience secures key legal win over Moderna, clearing path for global mRNA vaccine development and exports

April 23, 2025 | 17:35 IST