BioNTech announced that co‑founders Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci will step down by year‑end to found a new company focused on next‑generation mRNA technologies. BioNTech will grant limited rights to its mRNA platform to the new venture in exchange for a minority stake; the firm said it will concentrate on advancing multiple late‑stage oncology programs while the founders pursue research. The split signals continued fragmentation of mRNA expertise into startup ventures and may accelerate innovation in delivery chemistry and payload design outside the constraints of a large public company.