Leveraging Knowledge Networks: Rethinking Technological Value Distribution in mRNA Vaccine Innovations

Rossana Mastrandrea (), Fabio Montobbio (), Gabriele Pellegrino (), Massimo Riccaboni () and Valerio Sterzi ()
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Rossana Mastrandrea: Department of Management, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
Fabio Montobbio: Dipartimento di Politica Economica, DISCE, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy – ICRIOS, Bocconi University, Milano, Italy – BRICK, Collegio Carlo Alberto, Torino, Italy
Gabriele Pellegrino: Dipartimento di Politica Economica, DISCE, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy
Massimo Riccaboni: IMT School for Advanced Studies, Lucca, Italy – IUSS, Pavia, Italy
Valerio Sterzi: Bordeaux School of Economics (BSE), University of Bordeaux, CNRS, UMR 6060, Bordeaux, France

No dipe0047, DISCE - Working Papers del Dipartimento di Politica Economica from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimenti e Istituti di Scienze Economiche (DISCE)

Abstract: This study examines the roles of public and private sector actors in the development of mRNA vaccines, a breakthrough innovation in modern medicine. Using a dataset of 151 core patent fam- ilies and 2,416 antecedent (cited) patents, we analyze the structure and dynamics of the mRNA vaccine knowledge network through network theory. Our findings highlight the central role of biotechnology firms, such as Moderna and BioNTech, alongside the crucial contributions of univer- sities and public research organizations (PROs) in providing foundational knowledge. We develop a novel credit allocation framework, showing that universities, PROs, government and research cen- ters account for at least 27% of the external technological knowledge base behind mRNA vaccine breakthroughs—representing a minimum threshold of their overall contribution. Our study offers new insights into pharmaceutical and biotechnology innovation dynamics, emphasizing how Mod- erna and BioNTech’s mRNA technologies have benefited from academic institutions, with notable differences in their institutional knowledge sources.

Keywords: breakthrough innovation; innovation networks; patent analysis; mRNA vaccines; COVID- 19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 I18 L65 O31 O34 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 48
Date: 2025-03
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