12:36 PM EDT, 05/17/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Moderna ( MRNA ) won a favorable decision in its Covid-19 vaccine dispute with Pfizer ( PFE ) and BioNTech from the European Patent Office's Opposition Division, upholding the validity of one of two disputed patents, the Financial Times reported Friday.

The EPO announced an oral verdict on Thursday and will publish the written document in the coming months, according to the report.

"We are pleased to announce that the European Patent Office decided to maintain the validity of Moderna's ( MRNA ) EP949 patent, one of the key patents currently asserted against Pfizer ( PFE ) and BioNTech in various European national courts," Moderna ( MRNA ) said, according to the FT.

Pfizer ( PFE ) has nine months to file an appeal, which it may do, the report said.

BioNTech didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, the FT said.

Moderna ( MRNA ), Pfizer ( PFE ) and BioNTech didn't immediately respond to MT Newswires' requests for comment.

Moderna ( MRNA ) shares rose 1% in recent trading Friday, Pfizer ( PFE ) fell 1% and BioNTech dropped 0.4%.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Price: 133.98, Change: +1.30, Percent Change: +0.98