German biotech firm BioNTech, which rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic for developing one of the first mRNA vaccines, has announced a major restructuring plan. The company is winding down its COVID vaccine production entirely, handing over manufacturing to its US partner Pfizer.

“In the course of this year we will produce the last doses here in Germany,” a company spokeswoman told Reuters. As part of the restructuring, BioNTech is closing production sites in Idar-Oberstein, Marburg, Singapore, and a facility in Tübingen previously owned by CureVac, which BioNTech fully acquired in late 2025. The closures are expected to be completed by the end of 2027, and the company may sell the affected facilities.

Last year, BioNTech announced plans to cut between 950 and 1,350 full-time jobs over two years. The expanded restructuring could affect up to 1,860 jobs in total. The company cited a sharp decline in demand for COVID vaccines, which are now primarily recommended for the elderly and high-risk groups.

BioNTech will retain its main headquarters in Mainz, as well as office facilities in Berlin and Munich. The company is refocusing on research, particularly in cancer treatment and other diseases. Its first-quarter revenue fell to €118.1 million (approximately $138 million), compared to €182.8 million in the same period in 2025. Net losses for the year rose to €531.9 million, attributed to investments in R&D, including an antibody called Pumitamig, currently in global Phase 2 trials for potential multi-purpose cancer treatment.

BioNTech’s founders, Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci, announced in March that they were stepping down to start a new venture.

Source: www.dw.com