On July 16, Arbutus Biopharma announced that GenEvant, a joint exclusive licensor, has filed three patent infringement lawsuits against Pfizer and BioNTech in the Canadian and European Unified Patent Court, accusing their mRNA COVID-19 vaccine of infringing lipid nanoparticle technology patents and seeking permanent injunction and financial compensation. The company said the move was to further expand the scope of rights protection based on the US New Jersey court lawsuit. Arbutus also announced that it received the first non-contingent payment share of approximately US$178 million under the Modena Patent Infringement Settlement Agreement on July 8, and is expected to receive a dividend from Genevant's parent company in the third quarter. Starting in the third quarter, the company plans to return up to about US$230 million in capital to shareholders through tender repurchases and open market repurchases.

On July 16, Arbutus Biopharma announced that GenEvant, a joint exclusive licensor, has filed three patent infringement lawsuits against Pfizer and BioNTech in the Canadian and European Unified Patent Court, accusing their mRNA COVID-19 vaccine of infringing lipid nanoparticle technology patents and seeking permanent injunction and financial compensation. The company said the move was to further expand the scope of rights protection based on the US New Jersey court lawsuit. Arbutus also announced that it received the first non-contingent payment share of approximately US$178 million under the Modena Patent Infringement Settlement Agreement on July 8, and is expected to receive a dividend from Genevant's parent company in the third quarter. Starting in the third quarter, the company plans to return up to about US$230 million in capital to shareholders through tender repurchases and open market repurchases.