BioNTech co‑founders Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci announced plans to step down by the end of the year to create a new company focused on next‑generation mRNA therapeutics. BioNTech will grant the spinout certain rights to its mRNA technology and take a minority stake; the founders will concentrate on early-stage innovation while BioNTech shifts to late‑stage commercial development in oncology. The board has started a succession process to ensure an orderly transition. The move marks a strategic bifurcation: BioNTech retains a late‑stage, commercial portfolio while the founders pursue exploratory mRNA platforms outside the public company. The arrangement includes an IP carve‑out and a minority equity position, enabling the new venture to build on BioNTech’s scientific basis while operating independently. Market reaction reflected investor focus on leadership continuity and the potential for accelerated mRNA innovation outside of a large commercial organization. Named sources: BioNTech corporate statements and the company’s supervisory board announcement. For readers: next‑generation mRNA efforts typically target enhanced delivery, stability, tissue targeting, or new modalities beyond classical vaccine use.