BioNTech founders announce new pharmaceutical company Arife

BioNTech founders Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci have announced the name of their new pharmaceutical company, Arife. Based in Mainz, Germany, the new entity will focus on the research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of next-generation mRNA-based medicines.

According to reports, Arife is expected to operate as a European Company (SE) with a workforce in the low triple digits. While the founders plan to leave BioNTech by the end of 2026 to lead this new venture, they intend to remain shareholders in BioNTech.

Guido Oelkers has been named as the successor to Şahin at BioNTech, with plans to assume the role of CEO by February 1 of next year. BioNTech, which gained global prominence for its COVID-19 vaccine developed with Pfizer, is currently shifting its primary focus toward oncology.