USA – Licensing agreement values for messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based pharmaceuticals have skyrocketed by 800% between 2019 and 2024, driven by the success of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to GlobalData.
This dramatic increase reflects growing confidence in the transformative potential of mRNA technology and signals that it will remain a core focus for pharmaceutical innovation.
According to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, mRNA technology has proven to be a game-changer for vaccine development.
Companies are heavily investing in this platform to address unmet medical needs across various therapeutic areas.
Ophelia Chan, Business Fundamentals Senior Analyst at GlobalData, commented, “The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the advantages of mRNA technology—rapid production, precise immune targeting, and streamlined manufacturing—that contributed to the success of mRNA-based vaccines.”
GlobalData reports that deal values for licensing agreements related to mRNA-based drugs have reached $3.8 billion in 2024, doubling since 2023.
This surge in investment highlights the pharmaceutical industry’s commitment to exploring the broader applications of mRNA beyond COVID-19.
Legal challenges amid growth
Despite the rising interest in mRNA technology, recent legal disputes have put a spotlight on the industry.
Pharmaceutical company GSK has filed lawsuits against Moderna, Pfizer, and BioNTech, claiming infringement on patents related to lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology used in mRNA vaccines.
GSK alleges that Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine Spikevax and its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine mResvia utilized this technology without proper licensing.
These legal battles come on the heels of a similar lawsuit GSK filed against Pfizer and BioNTech earlier in 2024 concerning their Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine.
Market performance of mRNA vaccines
The global success of mRNA vaccines during the pandemic has been significant. Pfizer and BioNTech’s Comirnaty became the first mRNA vaccine approved by the FDA in 2021, followed by Moderna’s Spikevax in early 2022.
Though sales of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines declined in 2023 compared to 2022, they still generated substantial revenue— US $18.4 billion for Moderna’s Spikevax and US $42.4 billion for Pfizer/BioNTech’s Comirnaty.
Strategic collaborations and investments
Key pharmaceutical companies continue to pursue strategic collaborations to develop mRNA-based therapies.
In April 2024, Bristol Myers Squibb entered into a US $1.87 billion multi-year partnership with Repertoire Immune Medicines to develop mRNA-based vaccines for autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
Additionally, GSK and Curevac inked a US $1.57 billion licensing agreement in July 2024, further contributing to the rise in licensing values.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has also bolstered mRNA research, awarding US $176 million to Moderna for developing vaccines against pandemic influenza strains.
This investment underscores the versatility of mRNA platforms and their role in future pandemic preparedness.
Future outlook for mRNA pharmaceuticals
Looking ahead, GlobalData forecasts that global sales of mRNA-based innovator drugs will rise from US $22 billion in 2023 to US $26.2 billion by 2030.
This projected growth is driven by advancements in mRNA technology and delivery systems, allowing drugmakers to expand their portfolios and explore new therapeutic areas.
Ophelia Chan emphasized, “The significant increase in licensing deals for mRNA pharmaceuticals shows that the industry is committed to advancing this technology. With ongoing innovation, there are substantial opportunities for breakthroughs in treating various diseases.”
