BioNTech named Guido Oelkers as its incoming CEO, continuing the company’s shift from COVID-era mRNA leadership toward oncology. Oelkers, who previously led Swedish biopharma company Sobi, will replace Ugur Sahin as CEO, with an expected start no later than Feb. 1, 2027. The appointment follows BioNTech’s announcement earlier this year that Sahin and cofounder Özlem Türeci would depart to lead a new biotech focused on developing mRNA medicines. Oelkers will inherit a pipeline strategy aimed at multiple approved medicines by 2030. Sobi also said it is looking for a replacement, underscoring the leadership transition across both companies.