BioNTech founders Şahin, Türeci to launch new biotech venture
The founders of BioNTech, Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci, plan to leave the company to establish a new biotechnology startup focused on mRNA technology, according to reports.
The new venture is expected to focus on expanding the use of mRNA technology in areas such as cancer therapies, personalized vaccines and next-generation medicines.
BioNTech is expected to support the initiative by transferring certain technologies and intellectual property rights in exchange for a minority stake and royalty payments.
Şahin said the decision followed about 18 months of discussions regarding the company’s future leadership structure and business model. The founders are expected to transition to the new venture by the end of the year.
Şahin and Türeci gained global recognition after their company, together with Pfizer, developed one of the first widely used mRNA-based vaccines against COVID‑19 during the pandemic. The vaccine was administered in billions of doses worldwide and played a key role in controlling the global health crisis.
