The board of BioNTech announced on Aug. 3 that Guido Oelkers, currently the CEO of Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB, will become its new chief executive officer, succeeding founding leader Ugur Sahin. Oelkers is set to assume the role by February 1, 2027, as Sahin and Chief Medical Officer Özlem Türeci depart to launch a new biotech company focused on mRNA therapeutics. The search for Türeci’s replacement is ongoing.
The transition in leadership was first revealed in March when Sahin and Türeci said they would hand over control of the now-commercial stage company to focus on next-generation mRNA research. “For us, this is the right time to prepare to hand over the baton,” Sahin said at the time.
Oelkers brings experience from Sobi, which specializes in hematology, immunology and specialty care with marketed products such as Tryngolza for familial chylomicronemia syndrome and Zynlonta for lymphoma types. Helmut Jeggle, chairman of BioNTech’s supervisory board, said in a statement, “His expertise in scaling innovation-driven organizations in a focused and capital-efficient manner, coupled with his deep knowledge in relevant markets, will position the Company well to deliver on its key objectives to become a multi-product company, and continue BioNTech’s remarkable success story.”
Oelkers takes charge during a pivotal period for BioNTech following its rapid growth during the COVID-19 pandemic through development of an mRNA vaccine partnered with Pfizer. The company's focus has shifted toward oncology with an emphasis on bringing multiple commercial products beyond vaccines. A partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb has advanced pumitamig—a PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody—toward market approval; recent Phase 2 data presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology showed more than half of patients with squamous non-small cell lung cancer achieved confirmed objective response rates.
However, BioNTech has faced challenges including facility closures and workforce reductions after some manufacturing sites were underutilized or idle post-pandemic demand peaks. In May 2026 alone, nearly 7,000 layoffs were reported across Takeda and BioNTech combined.
“BioNTech is in a pivotal phase as the company focuses on advancing its diversified pipeline into approved products and sustainable medical benefits for patients,” Sahin said. “With Guido Oelkers taking over, I feel confident that BioNTech is in a strong position to realize its vision.”
