Biontech to Cease Domestic Operations and Shift Vaccine Production to Pfizer

Biontech, the biotechnology company headquartered in Mainz, has announced a significant restructuring of its operations, which will result in the closure of nearly all of its production facilities within Germany. The company plans to transfer the entirety of its COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing to its United States partner, Pfizer.

According to official reports, Biontech will discontinue its domestic vaccine production, leading to the shutdown of its manufacturing sites in Idar-Oberstein, Marburg, and the recently acquired Curevac sites in Tübingen. The site in Singapore will also be closed. After the restructuring, only the company's Mainz headquarters and its offices in Berlin and Munich will remain in Germany, serving as administrative locations rather than production facilities. The Tübingen site, formerly the headquarters of Curevac, is scheduled to close by the end of 2027.

The company has stated that these changes are driven by lower capacity utilization, excess production capability, and the need to reduce operational costs. The restructuring process is expected to result in up to 1,860 job cuts across the affected locations. Biontech has experienced significant financial challenges, including substantial losses in 2025 due to high research and development expenses. The company also reported further losses during the first quarter of 2026.

Management projects that, once all measures are implemented by 2029, Biontech will achieve recurring annual savings of approximately 500 million euros. The company intends to allocate these resources towards further research, development, and the commercialization of new treatments, with a primary focus on oncology. Biontech has outlined its goal to submit multiple regulatory applications for cancer therapies based on mRNA technology by 2030.

The planned closure of the Tübingen site, following the acquisition of Curevac, has prompted criticism from local officials. The Mayor of Tübingen has described the closure as a significant setback for the city, the region of Baden-Württemberg, and the workforce. Municipal authorities have called for a collaborative effort among Biontech, regional governments, and research institutions to identify solutions that preserve jobs and maintain research and production activities in the area. There is an appeal to avoid making irreversible decisions before thoroughly exploring alternatives.

Biontech gained international prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic for its development of an mRNA-based vaccine in partnership with Pfizer, generating considerable revenue during this period. In recent years, the company has shifted its focus towards leveraging mRNA technology for the development of cancer therapies and other medical applications. The acquisition of Curevac, another German biotechnology firm, was intended to bolster Biontech's expertise and capabilities in the oncology sector.

This strategic realignment comes as the global demand for COVID-19 vaccines decreases and as pharmaceutical companies adjust their operations to changing market conditions. Biontech's management has emphasized its commitment to advancing innovative treatments, particularly in oncology, as it adapts to the evolving healthcare landscape.