India Pharma Outlook Team | Tuesday, 12 August 2025
BioNTech SE, a worldwide next-generation immunotherapy company, has entered a settlement with CureVac N.V. and GSK plc, and have obtained a non-exclusive license for mRNA-based Covid-19 and influenza products, and have dismissed all ongoing patent litigation.
This settlement grants BioNTech and Pfizer a license to manufacture or sell mRNA-based Covid-19 and/or influenza products in the United States, which upon the close of BioNTech's intended acquisition of CureVac, will become a worldwide license.
The companies have notice of dismissal to enter and fully close CureVac’s patent case in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and has concluded litigation in the U.S.
Also Read: Cost-Effectiveness of Minimally Invasive Surgery in Outpatient Settings
Under the settlement, BioNTech will pay GSK $370 million and a 1% royalty on U.S. sales starting in 2025, as well as $130 million and global royalties after the acquisition. Pfizer has agreed to pay BioNTech $80 million and 50% of royalties on U.S. Covid-19 product sales. BioNTech will also pay CureVac $370 million at the closing of the acquisition, or if the acquisition is terminated, plus a 1% global royalty on sales from 2025, if any.
This is part of a larger strategy by BioNTech to strengthen its footprint in the mRNA space. BioNTech’s acquisition of CureVac, which was first announced in June 2025, is intended as a strategic move that will expedite the development of mRNA-based cancer therapeutics and combine two of the leading pioneers in mRNA research.
BioNTech pointed out that this settlement contains no admission of liability and allows it to focus on advancing its pipeline to the next generation of mRNA-based medicines.
