One of the biggest developments in the ongoing mRNA patent dispute has arrived—GSK will receive $320 million following a settlement between the BioNTech, CureVac, and Pfizer dispute. The agreement, reached after BioNTech and Pfizer chose to end a high-profile legal battle with the German biotech CureVac, closes a multi-year dispute over mRNA vaccine technology. The resolution not only settles the litigation but also unlocks new financial opportunities for the British pharmaceutical giant, which partnered with CureVac in 2020 on mRNA vaccine development. To better understand this development, we need to look back at how it all began.
How the GSK–BioNTech–Pfizer–CureVac mRNA Patent Battle Began
This news traces its roots back to the COVID-19 era, when both BioNTech and CureVac were racing toward the same dream—creating a breakthrough mRNA vaccine. BioNTech, in partnership with Pfizer, won with Comirnaty, the world’s first approved mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. But CureVac’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate didn’t succeed in clinical trials—it didn’t show good enough results to be approved or widely used—but the company still owned a strong portfolio of patents on mRNA technology.
In 2020, British pharma giant GSK partnered with CureVac, investing €150 million and securing rights to share in any licensing or settlement income from those patents. This thing became crucial. GSK & CureVac received $720 Million together for settlement
In July 2022, CureVac initiated its first legal action in Germany against BioNTech, accusing the company of violating four European patents related to mRNA technology. CureVac believed BioNTech and Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty, used key elements of CureVac’s patented mRNA technology without permission or a license.
November 2022 – CureVac filed a second lawsuit in the United States against both BioNTech and Pfizer, claiming infringement of ten U.S. patents covering mRNA design, formulation, and manufacturing processes.
According to the claim, infringed patents covering:
- How the mRNA sequence is designed and chemically modified for stability and effectiveness.
- How the mRNA is packaged in lipid nanoparticles so it can enter human cells.
- Certain manufacturing processes produced the mRNA vaccine at scale.
The company sought damages for past sales, ongoing royalties, and legal costs, arguing that key aspects of its mRNA design and delivery patents had been infringed. The GSK was taking part in the courtroom proceeding but maintained constant oversight of the case.
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GSK’s $320 Million Share in the BioNTech–Pfizer–CureVac mRNA Patent Settlement
After nearly three years of fighting, this ended in August 2025. In the recent update, BioNTech and Pfizer agreed to a $740 million settlement with CureVac and GSK combined, along with a non-exclusive license to use CureVac’s patented mRNA technologies in the United States for COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
GSK will receive $320 million in cash along with 1% royalties. The company will record these payments as other operating income in its third-quarter 2025 results.
Conclusion
For GSK, this is more than a legal windfall. It’s a long-term revenue opportunity from one of the most competitive sectors in modern pharmaceuticals. For BioNTech and Pfizer, the deal removes a major legal hurdle, allowing them to keep selling their mRNA vaccines without the looming threat of courtroom battles.