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6h ago

BioNTech Founders to Exit and Launch New mRNA Venture as Shares Sink on Weak Outlook

The new company will receive select mRNA rights in exchange for a minority stake plus milestone and royalty payments.

BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Ugur Sahin and his wife Özlem Türeci, the founders of the Mainz-based corona vaccine developer Biontech, together at the end of the Axel Springer Award ceremony broadcast for the researcher couple, during a virtual awards show on March 18, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Bernd von Jutrczenka - Pool/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci will leave by year-end to lead an independent company focused on next‑generation mRNA medicines.
  • BioNTech will transfer certain mRNA technologies and related rights to the new firm in return for minority equity and contingent payments.
  • The supervisory board has begun a search to appoint successors for the CEO and chief medical officer roles.
  • BioNTech posted a Q4 2025 net loss of €305 million on €907.4 million in revenue and guided 2026 revenue to €2.0–€2.3 billion, below analyst expectations, with lower Comirnaty sales anticipated in the U.S. and Europe.
  • Shares fell roughly 14%–20% on Tuesday after the announcements, as the company emphasized an oncology pivot with 15 late‑stage trials targeted by year‑end and a goal of becoming a multi‑product company by 2030.