BioNTech SE announced that its co-founders, Prof. Uğur Şahin and Prof. Özlem Türeci, plan to establish an independent biotechnology company focused on next-generation mRNA innovations, while BioNTech continues advancing its strategy to become a multi-product biopharmaceutical company by 2030.
The new company will operate with its own resources, operations, and funding options and will focus on advancing cutting-edge mRNA platform technologies. BioNTech said it plans to contribute certain rights and mRNA technologies to the new venture in exchange for a minority stake as well as potential milestone payments and royalties.
The two organizations will pursue distinct strategic priorities. BioNTech will concentrate on its expanding late-stage clinical pipeline, which includes immunomodulators, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and mRNA-based candidates targeting cancer and other serious diseases.
According to the company, its current clinical pipeline, milestones, and COVID-19 vaccine franchise will remain unaffected by the planned transition. BioNTech expects to have 15 Phase 3 oncology trials underway by the end of 2026, with multiple late-stage clinical data readouts anticipated across major cancer types.
Şahin and Türeci are expected to transition into leadership roles at the new company by the end of 2026 after their current service agreements with BioNTech conclude. BioNTech’s Supervisory Board has begun an executive search process to identify successors for the company’s leadership positions to ensure continuity in executing its long-term strategy.
The founders previously launched Ganymed Pharmaceuticals in 2001 and established BioNTech in 2008. Their new venture will represent their third biotechnology company and will focus on pioneering next-generation mRNA technologies with potentially disruptive applications.
BioNTech said it expects to sign binding agreements related to the creation of the new company by the end of the first half of 2026.
KEY QUOTES:
“Over the past 18 years, we have built BioNTech from a start-up into a global biopharmaceutical company with a strong and diversified pipeline. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we expanded beyond oncology to develop the first approved mRNA vaccine, helping to protect people worldwide. Today, the company is well positioned to advance its mission and evolve into a commercial multi-product company. None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary dedication of our teams, the trust of our shareholders and Supervisory Board, and the commitment of the partners who have supported us along the way. For us, this is the right time to prepare to hand over the baton. At the same time, Özlem and I are ready to become pioneers once again. Our vision has always been to translate our science into meaningful advances for patients, and we see extraordinary opportunities to unlock the next generation of transformative innovations.”
Prof. Uğur Şahin, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, BioNTech
“Over the course of their careers, Ugur and Özlem have established an outstanding track record of innovation. As BioNTech advances multiple late-stage product candidates towards commercialization, we support them in taking the opportunity to apply their strengths and undivided attention to a new venture, dedicated to enabling mRNA-based technologies to reach their full potential. We believe that this plan will be additive for both, BioNTech and the new company, as it aims to allow each organization to drive meaningful impact for patients. We look forward to working together with their new company on potential combination therapy approaches, setting the stage for continued success.”
Helmut Jeggle, Chairman Of The Supervisory Board, BioNTech
