Moderna has agreed to a settlement with Genevant Sciences and Arbutus Biopharma in a patent dispute over drug delivery technology related to lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) used in its mRNA vaccines against COVID-19[1][2]. The total amount of the settlement is up to $2.25 billion, with Moderna paying $950 million in cash in the third quarter of 2026[1][2]. Another $1.3 billion will be contingent on a favorable decision by a federal appeals court[1]. Moderna has pledged that it will not have to pay future royalties from sales of its mRNA vaccines[2]. The settlement came just days before a jury was scheduled to begin in Delaware, with Genevant and Arbutus initially seeking about $5 billion[2]. Moderna also agreed to admit patent infringement and that the patents are not invalid[1]. Genevant and Arbutus also have ongoing litigation against Pfizer and BioNTech, the makers of another prominent mRNA vaccine against COVID-19[2].