Germany's CureVac and Britain's GSK have settled a years-long patent dispute with Pfizer and its partner BioNTech over the mRNA vaccine technology that was at the forefront of the world's fight against COVID-19.

The settlement ends US mRNA patent disputes involving COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, while positioning GSK for additional payments and global royalty benefits if BioNTech’s acquisition of CureVac closes.

The complex settlement, which hands payouts and royalties to CureVac and partner GSK, comes as BioNTech is inching toward an acquisition of its one-time COVID-19 vaccine competitor.