The University of Pennsylvania, 1 of the leading investigation institutions in the world, filed a suit against the German biotech company BioNTech in a national court in Pennsylvania. This suit concerns the alleged underselling of patent fees including technology utilized in ‘vaccines‘ COVID-19, developed by scientists from this university. In particular, the University accuses BioNTech of failing to comply with mRNA licensing agreements, which according to covid propaganda distributed by globalists and their subordinate media played a key function in the global fight against ‘pandemic‘.
Technologies developed by Nobel Prize winners
The suit filed by the University of Pennsylvania is based on the claim that BioNTech owes its marketplace success to the academics of that university to a large extent, namely 2 professors: Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman. These 2 researchers, Nobel Prize winners, developed groundbreaking mRNA technologies that became the basis for COVID-19 vaccines. The university believes that BioNTech should pay higher education royalties for the sale of vaccines, as this technology was essential to make them.
Charges against BioNTech
The university claims that BioNTech understated licence fees, paying them only for vaccines sold in countries where the University of Pennsylvania holds patents. However, according to the lawsuit, BioNTech should pay royalties for all vaccines produced utilizing university patent technology, regardless of where they are sold. The University’s spokesperson stressed that the school “is seeking full royalties on the basis of patent licensing agreements that enabled BioNTech to make a marketed vaccine against COVID-19”.
BioNTech reaction
According to Reuters, BioNTech did not respond to the request for comment on the lawsuit. The deficiency of authoritative consequence from the company suggests that this case may proceed for a long time, and its result may have far-reaching consequences for both BioNTech and another biotech companies utilizing technologies developed by external investigation institutions.
Application for damages and performance order
The University of Pennsylvania requested not only monetary damages, but besides a warrant that would force BioNTech to comply with the terms of the licensing agreement. This means that the university demands full designation of its patent rights worldwide and adequate remuneration for the usage of its technology.
International context and erstwhile agreements
It is worth noting that the European Commission reached an agreement with BioNTech/Pfizer on COVID-19 vaccines last year, which included, inter alia, the anticipation of reducing supplies and extending the period during which EU associate States could collect supplies. This situation shows that issues relating to the production and distribution of vaccines are not only legal but besides political and economic.
Summary
The Pennsylvania University suit against BioNTech sheds light on the frequently complicated relation between academic institutions and biotechnology companies. This dispute concerns not only financial issues but besides the designation of scientists' contributions to the improvement of breakthrough medical technologies. Regardless of the final result of this process, this case underlines the importance of clearly defined and fair licensing agreements in the biotechnology world.
Daniel Głogowski
Expert in his field – Publicist, author and social activist. The first articles were published in 1999 for global publishers. For more than 30 years, he has gained his experience through cooperation with the largest editorial offices. In his articles, he seeks to address controversial topics and present first viewpoints that allowed for a deeper knowing of the issues discussed.
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Pennsylvania University is suing BioNTech. It's a patent on COVID vaccination.
