Pharma: „Enteignung der eigenen Firma“ – Eklat um das Erbe von Biontech

A rift is brewing within Biontech, as the company's founders, Özlem Türeci and Uğur Şahin, prepare to split off and form a new entity, Arife, in Mainz. The situation is tense and fraught with complications, as reported by Handelsblatt. At the heart of the matter is the division of Biontech's assets and patents between the new company and the existing firm.

Negotiations between Şahin, Türeci, and the company's leadership have been slower and more fraught than anticipated, leading to a lack of clear timeline for the division.

The founders' relationship has grown strained, with sources reporting that Türeci has taken an emotional approach while Şahin has been more rational. Türeci has even accused Biontech of "appropriating the own company," highlighting the emotional stakes involved. The matter is further complicated by legal complexities, as the two founders approach the division differently. Şahin plans to pay for the projects he wants to take with him, while Türeci is reportedly more emotionally driven in her approach.

Biontech holds all the patents for the key components, which puts the company in a strong bargaining position. If the negotiations fail, Biontech would likely suffer less than the founders. However, even a full failure seems possible, with insiders speculating that the situation may not be resolved. The investors see the layoffs as necessary for Biontech's commercial success, and a new CEO appointment has been met positively by investors.

However, the uncertainty and lack of clarity surrounding the division continue to weigh on employees, with many expressing frustration and dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.