GSK plc receives $370 million settlement in mRNA patent dispute

GSK plc announced on August 8, 2025, that it will receive an upfront settlement of $370 million and a 1% royalty on future US sales of mRNA vaccines from CureVac and BioNTech. This settlement resolves a portion of the ongoing patent dispute concerning mRNA technology.

The payments are in accordance with GSK's existing license agreement with CureVac. Of the upfront settlement, $320 million is in cash, with the remainder attributed to an amendment that significantly reduces royalties GSK pays on its own future mRNA influenza, COVID-19, and combination vaccine products.

Should BioNTech's planned acquisition of CureVac be completed, GSK is set to receive an additional $130 million and royalty income from future sales outside the US by BioNTech and Pfizer. This would also resolve global patent disputes between CureVac and BioNTech.

However, GSK will continue its separate patent litigation against BioNTech and Pfizer in the US and Europe for patent infringement. The company has also agreed to tender its approximately 16.6 million CureVac shares as part of BioNTech's upcoming offer.