On December 11, 2025, Arbutus Biopharma Corp (ABUS) disclosed updates on patent infringement litigation. The 8-K filing detailed ongoing lawsuits against Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech related to lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology used in COVID-19 vaccines, noting global sales of approximately $14.5 billion for the vaccines in question.

The filing states that Genevant Sciences GmbH and Arbutus jointly allege that Moderna's SpikeVax and Pfizer/BioNTech's Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccines infringe multiple LNP patents. According to the document, the companies filed initial complaints in U.S. District Courts in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The litigation involves courts in Delaware and New Jersey.

Key litigation milestones include Markman rulings on claim construction, which Genevant views as favorable. A jury trial in the U.S. Moderna case is scheduled for March 2026. Initial hearings in ex-U.S. proceedings against Moderna are expected in 2026, according to the filing.

"We believe that both the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (SPIKEVAX) and Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine (COMIRNATY) infringe multiple Genevant/Arbutus LNP patents." — From Exhibit 99.1, Arbutus Biopharma Corp 8-K Filing

The document also includes a forward-looking statements disclaimer, noting that litigation timing is subject to change at the court's discretion. Special Counsel Lindsay Androski of Genevant and CEO Matt Gline of Roivant are mentioned in this context. The filing references approximately $14.5 billion in global COVID-19 vaccine sales by the defendants.