Wednesday, August 5, 2026

BioNTech names Guido Oelkers as next CEO

BioNTech is preparing a change at the top of its management team. The company’s Supervisory Board has appointed Guido Oelkers to the Management Board as Chief Executive Officer. He is expected to take up the role by February 1, 2027, at the latest.

Oelkers will succeed BioNTech co-founder Ugur Sahin. The company said Sahin will support the onboarding process to help ensure an orderly handover.

Move from Sobi to Mainz

Oelkers joins from Swedish Orphan Biovitrum, known as Sobi, where he has served as CEO since 2017. BioNTech points to his long record in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical technology, as well as his experience leading international organizations.

His previous roles include senior positions at BSN Medical, Gambro, Invida, Nycomed, DKSH, Aventis Pharma China and Hoechst. According to BioNTech, Sobi’s revenues more than quadrupled over the nine-year period during his tenure.

Focus on multiple approved products by 2030

The appointment comes as BioNTech works to move beyond its vaccine-led commercial phase and broaden its product base. The company aims to advance its oncology pipeline and become a global biopharmaceutical company with multiple approved products.

BioNTech highlights its late-stage oncology portfolio as a key strategic area. The pipeline includes several therapeutic approaches, such as immunomodulators, antibody-drug conjugates and mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies.

Further management changes underway

The CEO appointment forms part of a wider leadership transition. BioNTech has previously said that Chief Medical Officer Özlem Türeci will move into the management of a new independent company, which she will lead together with Ugur Sahin.

The search for a successor to the Chief Medical Officer role is ongoing. BioNTech said it is looking for a leader with medical and scientific expertise, late-stage clinical development experience and a background in advancing complex product candidates.