BioNTech Enters Into Settlements With NIH, UPenn Over COVID-19 Vaccine Royalties

Reuters (12/27, Satija, S K) reported, “BioNTech has entered into two separate settlement agreements with the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the University of Pennsylvania over the payment of royalties related to its COVID-19 vaccine, the company said in filings.” The company “said on Friday it would pay $791.5 million to the U.S. agency to resolve a default notice.” Separately, BioNTech “will pay $467 million to the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), which has agreed to dismiss a lawsuit brought against the vaccine maker accusing it of underpaying royalties.” The company also “said partner Pfizer will reimburse it for up to $170 million of the royalties payable to Penn and $364.5 million of the royalties paid to” NIH “for 2020-2023 vaccine sales.”