BioNTech Settles COVID-19 Vaccine Royalty Disputes for $1.2 Billion
The German biotech company will pay $791.5 million to the NIH and $467 million to the University of Pennsylvania to resolve claims over underpaid royalties.
- BioNTech has reached two settlement agreements to address royalty disputes related to its COVID-19 vaccine, developed in partnership with Pfizer.
- The company will pay $791.5 million to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) for patent licenses involving vaccine technology.
- A separate $467 million payment will be made to the University of Pennsylvania, which accused BioNTech of underpaying royalties linked to its Comirnaty vaccine.
- The settlement with Penn includes $400 million for past royalties, $15 million for extended research collaboration, and $52 million for a joint R&D fund.
- Pfizer has agreed to reimburse BioNTech for up to $170 million of the royalties owed for vaccine sales between 2020 and 2023.
Deutsche Welle 
