BioNTech to continue focus on mRNA after founders exit

June 08, 2026

Reported by AI

The Mainz company has made its first strategic decision following the founders departure and will stick with mRNA technology.

Following the departure of its founders BioNTech has taken a key strategic step. The company will continue to focus on mRNA the technology that made it globally known through its corona vaccine. Several people familiar with the matter confirmed the decision. Hundreds of employees are expected to move to a new company linked to the founders. Details on which research areas stay with BioNTech and which transfer to the founders form part of the separation plan. The report originates from Munich and is based on information available to Handelsblatt.

A volunteer receiving a needle-free vaccine in a lab with AI-designed virus models in the background.

AI-designed “pan-sarbecovirus” vaccine candidate reports early safety and immune-response signals in first human trial

June 05, 2026 Reported by AI Image generated by AI Fact checked

A needle-free, DNA-based vaccine candidate designed using machine-learning methods has completed a first-in-human Phase 1 study in the UK, with researchers reporting it was well tolerated and induced immune responses against multiple viruses in the sarbecovirus group, which includes SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 and related bat coronaviruses.

Biontech to close nearly all production sites in Germany

German biotech firm Biontech plans to cut up to 1860 jobs in Germany. It will close multiple production sites and end Covid vaccine production there this year. Only pure office locations will remain.

Two gene-editing baby startups shut down after less than a year

April 24, 2026 Reported by AI

Bootstrap Bio and Manhattan Genomics, biotech firms launched last year to pursue human embryo editing for preventing serious diseases, have closed their doors. The companies cited financial difficulties and internal conflicts as reasons for the shutdowns. The developments highlight challenges in the controversial field of gene-edited babies.

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Caribou Biosciences presents car-t updates at healthcare conference

Caribou Biosciences discussed progress on its off-the-shelf CAR-T therapies during a presentation at the Bank of America Global Healthcare Conference on May 13. Chief executive Rachel Haurwitz highlighted Phase I data for two programs that target lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

BASF opens integrated site in Zhanjiang

March 22, 2026 Reported by AI

Chemical firm BASF opens its new integrated site in Zhanjiang, southern China, on Thursday. CEO Markus Kamieth views raw material supply as secure despite the Iran war and Hormuz Strait blockade.

June 09, 2026 09:27