Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci, the co-founders of BioNTech, have announced their departure from the company, which gained international recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic for its vaccine development. They plan to leave BioNTech by the end of 2026, at which time their current employment contracts will expire. The couple aims to establish a new biotechnology firm dedicated to developing the next generation of mRNA-based therapies, leveraging their expertise in the field.

BioNTech has confirmed that Şahin and Türeci will retain a minority stake in the company, with current holdings reported at approximately 15%. In alignment with their transition, the new venture will incorporate rights and mRNA technologies from BioNTech, ensuring that the original company will receive a minority share in the new business and ongoing royalty payments. Additionally, milestone payments have been agreed upon, providing BioNTech with financial benefits as the new company achieves specific developmental benchmarks.

Having founded BioNTech in 2008, Şahin and Türeci have been instrumental in the development of mRNA technology and have received numerous accolades and generated significant profits through their work. Their decision to establish a new company highlights a continued commitment to innovation in biotechnology, focusing on the evolving landscape of mRNA applications, which have been prominently showcased through the fight against COVID-19, positioning them at the forefront of pharmaceutical advancements.