BioNTech (NASDAQ: BNTX) founders to spin out next-gen mRNA venture

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

BioNTech SE plans to support the creation of an independent biotechnology company led by co-founders Prof. Ugur Sahin and Prof. Özlem Türeci that will focus on next-generation mRNA innovations. BioNTech intends to contribute related rights and mRNA technologies in return for a minority stake, milestones and royalties.

BioNTech says its current clinical pipeline, including its COVID‑19 vaccine franchise, remains unaffected and expects to have 15 ongoing Phase 3 oncology trials by year end, with multiple late-stage data readouts in 2026. Sahin and Türeci are expected to transition to the new company’s management by the end of 2026, while BioNTech’s Supervisory Board has started searching for their successors.

Insights

Biopharma strategy analyst

BioNTech separates next‑gen mRNA R&D into a new founder-led company while keeping its late-stage pipeline on track.

BioNTech is ring‑fencing early, next‑generation mRNA innovation into an independent company led by its co-founders, while retaining a minority equity stake plus potential milestones and royalties. This setup lets the new venture pursue disruptive mRNA platforms with distinct resources and funding options.

Management emphasizes that BioNTech’s existing oncology and infectious disease pipeline, including its COVID‑19 vaccine franchise, is unchanged. The company highlights a growing late-stage portfolio and expects 15 Phase 3 oncology trials by year end and multiple late-stage readouts in 2026, underscoring a pivot toward commercialization.

Founders Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci plan to move into management of the new company by the end of 2026, after current service agreements end. The Supervisory Board has initiated a search for successors, so execution will depend on how smoothly leadership transition aligns with late-stage trial milestones and planned product launches.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a‑16 OR 15d‑16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2026

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 001-39081

BioNTech SE
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

An der Goldgrube 12

D-55131 Mainz

Germany

+49 6131-9084-0
(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20‑F or Form 40‑F: Form 20‑F ☒ Form 40‑F ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6‑K in paper as permitted by Regulation S‑T Rule 101(b)(1): ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6‑K in paper as permitted by Regulation S‑T Rule 101(b)(7): ☐

DOCUMENTS INCLUDED AS PART OF THIS FORM 6-K

On March 10, 2026, BioNTech SE announced plans for an independent company to be established and led by BioNTech co-founders Prof. Ugur Sahin, M.D., and Prof. Özlem Türeci, M.D. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BioNTech SE

By:

/s/ Ramon Zapata-Gomez

By:

/s/ Dr. Sierk Poetting

Name: Ramon Zapata-Gomez

Name: Dr. Sierk Poetting

Title: Chief Financial Officer

Title: Chief Operating Officer

Date: March 10, 2026

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit			Description of Exhibit
99.1			BioNTech and Co-Founders Announce Plan to Pursue Next-Generation mRNA Innovations in Co-Founders-Led New Company as BioNTech Advances Toward Becoming a Multi-Product Company by 2030

Exhibit 99.1

BioNTech and Co-Founders Announce Plan to Pursue Next-Generation mRNA Innovations in Co-Founders-Led New Company as BioNTech Advances Toward Becoming a Multi-Product Company by 2030

•BioNTech continues to sharpen its strategic focus on the growing late-stage clinical pipeline spanning immunomodulator, ADC and mRNA candidates

•BioNTech co-founders Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci will establish an independent biotechnology company to research and develop next-generation mRNA innovations; management transition by end of 2026

•Both companies focus on distinct strategic priorities to maximize value for patients and shareholders, with BioNTech planning to contribute related rights and mRNA technologies to the new company in exchange for a minority stake

•Signing of binding agreements expected by end of H1/2026

Mainz, Germany, March 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX, “BioNTech” or “the Company”) today announced plans for an independent company to be established and led by BioNTech co-founders Prof. Ugur Sahin, M.D., and Prof. Özlem Türeci, M.D. The new company with distinct resources, operations and funding options, will advance next-generation mRNA innovations. BioNTech plans to contribute related rights and mRNA technologies to the new company to enable and support the prioritized development of next-generation mRNA innovations with disruptive potential. With both companies focusing on their respective strategic priorities, BioNTech expects to maximize value for patients and shareholders alike.

BioNTech is sharpening its strategic focus on the development and commercialization of its growing late-stage pipeline spanning innovative immunomodulator, antibody-drug conjugate (“ADC”) and mRNA candidates. Its current clinical pipeline, including previously announced milestones and the COVID-19 vaccine franchise, remains unaffected by the plans for the new company: BioNTech expects to have 15 ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials in oncology by year end. 2026 will also be the first year in which the Company expects multiple late-stage data readouts across major cancer types. The clinical trials and resulting data will inform regulatory and launch plans.

Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci will transition into the management of their new company by the end of 2026 after their current service agreements end. BioNTech’s Supervisory Board has initiated an executive search to identify successors for the positions to ensure a smooth transition and seamless execution of BioNTech’s strategy.

“Over the past 18 years, we have built BioNTech from a start-up into a global biopharmaceutical company with a strong and diversified pipeline. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we expanded beyond oncology to develop the first approved mRNA vaccine, helping to protect people worldwide. Today, the company is well positioned to advance its mission and evolve into a commercial multi-product company. None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary dedication of our teams, the trust of our shareholders and Supervisory Board, and the commitment of the partners who have supported us along the way. For us, this is the right time to prepare to hand over the baton,” said Prof. Ugur Sahin, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of BioNTech. “At the same time, Özlem and I are ready to become pioneers once again. Our vision has always been to translate our science into meaningful advances for patients, and we see extraordinary opportunities to unlock the next generation of transformative innovations.”

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“Over the course of their careers, Ugur and Özlem have established an outstanding track record of innovation. As BioNTech advances multiple late-stage product candidates towards commercialization, we support them in taking the opportunity to apply their strengths and undivided attention to a new venture, dedicated to enabling mRNA-based technologies to reach their full potential,” said Helmut Jeggle, Chairman of the BioNTech Supervisory Board. “We believe that this plan will be additive for both, BioNTech and the new company, as it aims to allow each organization to drive meaningful impact for patients. We look forward to working together with their new company on potential combination therapy approaches, setting the stage for continued success.”

BioNTech co-founders and mRNA technology pioneers Prof. Ugur Sahin, M.D., and Prof. Özlem Türeci, M.D., will establish their third biotechnology company following the foundation of Ganymed Pharmaceuticals in 2001 and BioNTech in 2008. As a next-generation mRNA company, it is aimed at pioneering cutting-edge platform technologies and advancing the research and development of mRNA-based innovations with disruptive potential. To this end, BioNTech plans to contribute related rights and mRNA technologies to the new company on an arm’s length basis in exchange for a minority stake and other forms of consideration such as milestones and royalties. It aims to benefit both companies by providing them with opportunities to collaborate on combination approaches involving their respective product candidates, with the potential to create new complementary or synergistic treatment strategies. A binding agreement is expected to be signed by the end of the first half of 2026 after which further details will be communicated by BioNTech.

About BioNTech

Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) is a global next generation immunotherapy company pioneering novel investigative therapies for cancer and other serious diseases. BioNTech exploits a wide array of computational discovery and therapeutic modalities with the intent of rapid development of novel biopharmaceuticals. Its diversified portfolio of oncology product candidates aiming to address the full continuum of cancer includes mRNA cancer immunotherapies, next-generation immunomodulators and targeted therapies such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and innovative chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies. Based on its deep expertise in mRNA development and in-house manufacturing capabilities, BioNTech and its collaborators are researching and developing multiple mRNA vaccine candidates for a range of infectious diseases alongside its diverse oncology pipeline. BioNTech has established a broad set of relationships with multiple global and specialized pharmaceutical collaborators, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Duality Biologics, Fosun Pharma, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Genmab, MediLink, OncoC4, Pfizer and Regeneron.

For more information, please visit www.BioNTech.com.

BioNTech Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, but not limited to, statements concerning: expected changes to BioNTech’s leadership and the transition of responsibilities at the Management Board, including identification and recruitment of successors; the terms of the preliminary discussions between BioNTech and the co-founders, including the potential contribution of certain BioNTech assets to an independent company and the form of consideration payable to BioNTech; the timing for execution of definitive agreements between BioNTech and the co-founders; the companies’ ability to collaborate on combination approaches for their product candidates; BioNTech’s research and development programs, including its expectations regarding initiations of clinical trials; BioNTech’s focus on building commercial capabilities for potential market launches; and BioNTech’s expectations regarding the timing of, ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of, and planned readiness

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for, such launches. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “aims,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. The forward-looking statements in this press release are neither promises nor guarantees, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond BioNTech’s control and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: BioNTech’s ability to reach definitive agreements with its co-founders; discussions with regulatory agencies regarding timing and requirements for additional clinical trials; the ability to produce comparable clinical results in future clinical trials; competition related to BioNTech’s product candidates, including those with different mechanisms of action and different manufacturing and distribution constraints, on the basis of, among other things, efficacy, cost, convenience of storage and distribution, breadth of approved use, side-effect profile and durability of immune response; the timing of and BioNTech’s ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval for BioNTech’s product candidates; BioNTech’s and its counterparties’ ability to manage and source necessary resources; BioNTech’s ability to identify research opportunities and discover and develop investigational medicines; the ability and willingness of BioNTech’s third-party collaborators to continue research and development activities relating to BioNTech’s development candidates and investigational medicines; BioNTech’s and its collaborators’ ability to commercialize and market its product candidates, if approved; BioNTech’s ability to manage its development and expansion; regulatory developments in the United States and other countries and regions; BioNTech’s ability to effectively scale its production capabilities and manufacture its product candidates; and other factors not known to BioNTech at this time.

You should review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in BioNTech’s Report on Form 6-K for the period ended December 31, 2025 and in subsequent filings made by BioNTech with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, BioNTech disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this press release in the event of new information, future developments or otherwise.

CONTACTS

Media Relations
Jasmina Alatovic
Media@biontech.de

Investor Relations
Douglas Maffei, PhD
Investors@biontech.de

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FAQ

What did BioNTech (BNTX) announce in its March 2026 Form 6-K?

BioNTech announced plans to support an independent biotechnology company led by co-founders Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci. The new venture will focus on next-generation mRNA innovations, while BioNTech sharpens its focus on developing and commercializing its late-stage oncology and infectious disease pipeline.

How will BioNTech participate in the new co-founders-led mRNA company?

BioNTech plans to contribute related rights and mRNA technologies to the new company on an arm’s length basis. In return, BioNTech expects to receive a minority stake and other consideration, including milestones and royalties, while also preserving opportunities to collaborate on combination treatment approaches.

Are BioNTech’s existing pipeline and COVID-19 vaccine franchise affected by this plan?

BioNTech states that its current clinical pipeline, including previously announced milestones and its COVID‑19 vaccine franchise, remains unaffected. The company expects 15 ongoing Phase 3 oncology trials by year end and anticipates multiple late-stage data readouts across major cancer types during 2026 to inform regulatory and launch plans.

When will BioNTech’s co-founders transition to the new company’s management?

Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci are expected to transition into management of the new company by the end of 2026. This timing aligns with the end of their current service agreements at BioNTech, and the Supervisory Board has begun an executive search to identify their successors for key leadership roles.

What timeline did BioNTech give for reaching binding agreements on the new company?

BioNTech expects binding agreements with the co-founders’ new company to be signed by the end of the first half of 2026. After execution of these definitive agreements, BioNTech plans to communicate further details about the structure of the collaboration and contributed assets to the market.

How does this plan fit BioNTech’s goal of becoming a multi-product company by 2030?

BioNTech highlights that it is advancing toward becoming a commercial multi-product company by 2030, supported by a growing late-stage pipeline in immunomodulators, ADCs and mRNA candidates. The separate, next-generation mRNA company is intended to pursue disruptive platforms while BioNTech concentrates on late-stage development and commercialization.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

1 document

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EX-99.1 19.9 KB