Demand fell, route changed: BioNTech to stop production of Covid-19 vaccine

Germany-based biotechnology firm BioNTech has announced that it is entering a comprehensive restructuring process. The company will completely stop the production of its Covid-19 vaccine and transfer this process to its US business partner, Pfizer. A BioNTech spokesperson stated, "We will have produced the final doses in Germany within this year."

APPROXIMATELY 2 THOUSAND PEOPLE TO BE LAID OFF

As part of the restructuring, production facilities in the German cities of Idar-Oberstein and Marburg, as well as in Singapore, will be closed. Additionally, the facility in Tübingen belonging to CureVac, which was acquired at the end of 2025, will also be taken out of operation during this process. While there are plans to close and put the facilities up for sale by the end of 2027, approximately 1,860 employees are expected to be laid off.

FOCUS WILL SHIFT TO CANCER

The company emphasized that the decline in vaccine demand following the waning impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was the deciding factor in this decision. It was stated that in the new period, the focus will be on studies aimed at treating various diseases, primarily cancer.

LOSS EXCEEDED 500 MILLION EUROS

According to BioNTech's financial data, revenues in the first quarter of the year fell from 182.8 million euros to 118.1 million euros. In the same period, the net loss reached 531.9 million euros.

SAHIN AND TURECI HAD LEFT THEIR POSTS

On the other hand, the company's founders, Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci, had announced last March that they were stepping down from their positions to launch a new venture.