BioNTech founders to leave, form new mRNA-focused company

Andrew Joseph covers health, medicine, and the biopharma industry in Europe. You can reach Andrew on Signal at drewqjoseph.71.

LONDON — The co-founders of the Covid-19 vaccine developer BioNTech plan to leave the biotech to start a new mRNA-focused company, the German drugmaker said Tuesday. 

Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci, who are married, will transition to the as-of-yet unnamed company by the end of the year, with a focus on researching and developing next-generation mRNA medicines. 

BioNTech will be giving certain rights to its mRNA technology to the new company, while picking up a minority stake in it. 

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