BioNTech (BNTX) sued rival Moderna (MRNA) for allegedly directly and willfully infringing at least one of its patents related to its COVID-19 vaccine technology, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday.

The biotech firm alleged Moderna's mNEXSPIKE COVID-19 vaccine "exploits BioNTech's streamlined, domain-based COVID-19 vaccine technology claimed and protected" by a patent.

Even as Moderna uses the patent technology, the company "has not sought a license from BioNTech," but "profited and will continue to profit from its unauthorized and unlicensed use" of BioNTech's technology, BioNTech said in the lawsuit.

BioNTech demanded it be rewarded "all damages adequate to compensate it for Moderna's infringement" and a jury trial if necessary, according to the lawsuit.

Moderna did not immediately reply to MT Newswires' request for comment.