BioNTech has announced plans for a new biotechnology company focused on next-generation mRNA innovations. The company will be established by co-founders Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci while BioNTech continues to advance its oncology pipeline and transition toward becoming a multi-product biopharmaceutical company.
New company to focus on next-generation mRNA innovations
BioNTech confirmed that its co-founders plan to establish an independent biotechnology company dedicated to researching and developing next-generation mRNA innovations. The new company will operate with its own resources, funding options and strategic priorities.
BioNTech plans to contribute selected rights and mRNA technologies to the new venture in exchange for a minority stake and potential milestone and royalty payments. Binding agreements are expected to be signed by the end of the first half of 2026.
How next-generation mRNA innovations are shaping biotechnology
Messenger RNA technologies have become a central platform in modern biotechnology. mRNA therapies instruct cells to produce specific proteins, enabling applications ranging from vaccines to cancer immunotherapies and treatments for infectious diseases.
Research into next-generation mRNA innovations focuses on improving delivery systems, stability and therapeutic precision. These advances are expected to expand the range of diseases that can be targeted with mRNA-based treatments.
BioNTech sharpens focus on oncology pipeline
While the new company will focus on next-generation mRNA innovations, BioNTech will continue developing its existing clinical pipeline. The company is advancing programmes across immunomodulators, antibody-drug conjugates and mRNA-based candidates.
BioNTech expects to have 15 ongoing Phase 3 oncology trials by the end of 2026, with several late-stage data readouts anticipated across major cancer types.
Leadership transition planned by the end of 2026
Co-founders Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci will transition to management roles within the new company after their current service agreements conclude in 2026. BioNTech’s Supervisory Board has initiated a search for successors to ensure continuity in leadership.
“Over the past 18 years, we have built BioNTech from a start-up into a global biopharmaceutical company with a strong and diversified pipeline,” said Prof. Ugur Sahin, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of BioNTech.
The planned structure is intended to allow both organisations to pursue distinct scientific and commercial priorities while enabling potential collaboration on combination therapies.
Further details about the new biotechnology company are expected following the signing of definitive agreements in 2026.
More developments in the biotechnology sector can be found in the Biotechnology section of Life Sciences Global News.
