mRNA-based innovative pharmaceuticals have experienced a boom in the value of licensing deals following success with the technology in Covid-19 vaccines, which has helped contain the pandemic.
Data and analytics provider GlobalData has seen an 800% increase in deal value year to date between 2019 and 2024 and has noted that key companies continue to invest heavily in the development of mRNA-based medicines.
GlobalData is Pharmaceutical Technology parent company.
However, recent lawsuits filed by GSK against mRNA vaccine makers Pfizer, BioNTech and most recently (October 15) Moderna have put the spotlight on the licensing of mRNA-based medicines.
In its lawsuit, GSK has alleged use of its technology without proper licensing. GSK is suing Moderna in two lawsuits related to its mRNA vaccines: Spikevax for Covid-19 and mResvia for RSV. The British pharmaceutical giant claims Moderna ignored patents related to lipid nanoparticles used in mRNA vaccine formulation technology.
It follows a similar lawsuit against Pfizer and BioNTech filed in April, in which GSK claims the companies infringed five patents related to mRNA vaccine technology.
Pfizer/BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine, known as Comirnaty, was approved by the FDA in August 2021 and was the first mRNA vaccine to hit the global market. It was followed by the approval of Moderna’s Spikevax in January 2022, although an emergency use authorization (EUA) had made Moderna’s vaccine available earlier.
Ophelia Chan, senior business fundamentals analyst at GlobalData, has cited Covid-19 vaccines as a turning point for the mRNA sector. “The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the key advantages of mRNA technology in vaccine development, including rapid production, precise immune targeting and streamlined manufacturing factors that drove the success of mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines,” she said.
Sales of mRNA Covid-19 vaccines fell significantly in 2023 compared to 2022. However, GlobalData reported that Moderna’s Spikevax still generated about $18.4 billion in global revenue in 2023, while Pfizer and BioNTech’s Comirnaty generated about $42.4 billion.
Considering the reasons behind the jump in the value of licensing deals, Chan added: “Licensing deal values for mRNA-based pharmaceuticals have doubled since 2023, reaching $3.8 billion as major players such as GSK and Bristol Myers Squibb invest in mRNA therapies to address unmet medical needs. .”
In April, Bristol Myers Squibb entered into a $1.87 billion multi-year strategic partnership with Repertoire Immune Medicines to develop mRNA-based tolerant vaccines. Meanwhile, GSK and CureVac contributed to the increase in license value in July, with a new licensing deal worth up to $1.57 billion.
In addition to licensing, GlobalData also expects the industry to see growth in mRNA sales, with global sales of innovative mRNA-based medicines predicted to increase from $22 billion in 2023 to $26.2 billion in 2030.
“mRNA Licensing Deals Surge 800% Amid GSK Lawsuits” was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a brand owned by GlobalData.
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