BioNTech SE Disputes Vaccine Royalties with U.S. NIH

BioNTech SE's chief operating officer issued a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing on March 22, 2024, confirming that it previously disclosed that the Company was in discussions with the National Institutes of Health ("NIH") concerning royalties and other amounts allegedly owed on sales of the Company's COVID-19 vaccine since commercialization.

The NIH had delivered a communication threatening to send a notice of default under its license agreement with the Company, and the Company received a notice of default from the NIH relating to alleged amounts owed and breaches under such license.

As previously disclosed, the Company disagrees with the positions being taken by the NIH and intends to vigorously defend against all allegations of breach.

BioNTech's recent annual report filing (20-F) with the SEC disclosed an ongoing royalty disagreement with the NIH.

An SEC notice of default informs a contract partner that they have failed to fulfill an obligation and that legal action will be taken if they continue to default.