German biotech’s incoming leader set ahead of its goal of having multiple approved products by 2030.
Industry veteran Guido Oelkers will be replacing Dr Ugur Sahin as BioNTech’s new CEO, by 1 February 2027 at the latest.
Guido will bring over thirty years of expertise in the sector to the German biotech, including multiple executive roles. This includes advancing innovative product portfolios across, eg, oncology and immunology. Most recently, he has served as CEO of biopharmaceutical company Sobi - Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB since 2017.
On his latest appointment, Guido Oelkers said: “BioNTech stands out through its scientific foundation and particularly its strong late-stage oncology pipeline. I am deeply honoured to be leading BioNTech and prioritising its evolution into a global biopharmaceutical company with multiple approved products by 2030, while continuing to advance its innovative pre-clinical and clinical portfolio in line with [BioNTech’s] strategy.
“I look forward to joining my colleagues on the Management Board and our teams worldwide on the journey ahead to deliver on BioNTech’s patient-centric strategy and create sustainable, long-term value.”
As part of his role as BioNTech’s new executive, Guido will have oversight of the firm’s $10 billion partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb announced last year. The deal is set to advance oncology immunotherapies, helping to strengthen BioNTech’s oncology portfolio.
Helmut Jeggle, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BioNTech, remarked that Guido’s “expertise in scaling innovation-driven organisations in a focused and capital-efficient manner, coupled with his deep knowledge in relevant markets, will position [BioNTech] to deliver on its key objectives to become a multi-product company, and continue BioNTech’s remarkable success story.”
”[Guido’s multifaceted expertise] will position [BioNTech] to deliver on its key objectives to become a multi-product company, and continue BioNTech’s remarkable success story”
Helmut Jeggle, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BioNTech
Dr Ugur Sahin, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of BioNTech, said: “BioNTech is in a pivotal phase as the Company focuses on advancing its diversified pipeline into approved products and sustainable medical benefits for patients. I have come to know Guido Oelkers as a leader who combines a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and strong strategic acumen with genuine respect for the culture and people of our organisation.”
Additionally, BioNTech’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Özlem Türeci, will transition to leading a new, independent company alongside her husband and co-founder Dr Ugur Sahin.
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