Moderna lost its argument that Arbutus Biopharma’s patent 8,058,069 is invalid, U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board said in opinion posted on its electronic docket.

• Moderna “has not demonstrated” that the patent shouldn’t have issued, review board said
• Patent relates to stable nucleic acid-lipid particles (SNALP) for delivery of a small interfering RNA (siRNA)
• Analysts have said the technology could be used in development of vaccines
• Moderna claimed Arbutus has used overlapping claims in different patents to extend its patent protection and limit research
• Arbutus argued that the patent, which covers Alnylam’s Onpattro to improve nerve function, is…