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BioNTech Founders to Exit This Year to Launch New mRNA Company as Stock Slumps on Weak Outlook

A weak outlook alongside a quarterly loss sent shares tumbling, prompting a board-led search for new leadership.

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 start a separate mRNA-focused venture, with BioNTech contributing certain mRNA rights in return for a minority stake, milestones and royalties.
  • BioNTech reported a Q4 2025 net loss of €305 million on revenue of €907.4 million, reversing a profit a year earlier.
  • Management guided 2026 revenue to €2.0–€2.3 billion, below analyst expectations near €2.7–€2.75 billion, citing lower Covid-19 vaccine sales in the U.S. and Europe.
  • Shares fell sharply after the announcements, with declines reported between roughly 17% and 22% during U.S. trading.
  • The supervisory board has initiated a search to replace the CEO and CMO as the company pivots to oncology, targeting about 15 late-stage trials by year-end and operating the new venture with separate resources and funding.