German Covid vaccine pioneer BioNTech chooses new chief executive

German vaccine manufacturer BioNTech has found a successor to take over as chief executive officer from co-founder Uğur Şahin.

Guido Oelkers will take up the post by February 1 next year at the latest, the company announced on Monday. 

Oelkers joins from the Swedish biopharmaceutical company Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi), which he has led since 2017.

Oelkers, has expertise in the commercialization of new products, with a focus on the US market. 

BioNTech, which rose to prominence during the coronavirus pandemic with its Covid-19 vaccine, says it is aiming to secure approvals for several cancer drugs by 2030.

Although the Mainz-based company initially earned billions from the Covid-19 vaccine, it later slipped into the red. 

In May, BioNTech announced it would be closing several production sites in Germany and Singapore, as well as sites belonging to the acquired competitor Curevac. It was reported that up to 1,860 jobs could be affected by the measures.

Şahin, together with his wife Özlem Türeci, announced some time ago that they would be leaving BioNTech by the end of 2026 at the latest to set up a new company. 

They want to focus on developing the next generation of mRNA-based medicines. They intend to remain shareholders in BioNTech. 

BioNTech said that the search for a successor to Türeci, who is also a member of the company's executive board, is proceeding according to plan.

Şahin said he had "come to know Guido Oelkers as a manager who combines a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and strong strategic judgement with genuine respect for the company culture and its employees."

"To ensure a smooth and successful transition, I will actively support his arrival," he added.