09:49 AM EDT, 08/01/2025 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with BioNTech spokesperson comments in the third and fourth paragraphs.)

Moderna ( MRNA ) said Friday that the UK Court of Appeal has upheld the validity of its EP'949 patent, affirming an earlier court ruling that the patent was infringed by Pfizer ( PFE ) and BioNTech's (BNTX) Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine.

The company said the patent covers one of its "foundational technologies that enables the development of mRNA-based medicines."

A BioNTech spokesperson told MT Newswires that the company will seek to appeal the decision, which doesn't have an immediate effect on Pfizer ( PFE ), BioNTech, or Comirnaty.

"Today's UK Court of Appeal's decision does not change our unwavering stance that this patent is invalid," the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "We believe EP3590949 does not meet the requirements for patentability."

Pfizer ( PFE ) did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.

Price: 27.59, Change: -1.97, Percent Change: -6.66