Biotech group: Biontech closes three German locations - "All the state's money is now on the scrap heap"
The vaccine manufacturer can't find buyers for its Idar-Oberstein, Marburg and Tübingen sites. 1800 employees are losing their jobs. A former competitor is ranting - also at himself.
München – After months of unsuccessful attempts to find buyers, Biontech has announced that it will be closing three German facilities next year. These include the sites in Idar-Oberstein, Marburg, and Tübingen, all in Germany. The company reported that 1,800 employees will be affected, which is nearly a quarter of its workforce.
In Tübingen, the closure is scheduled for the end of 2027, while Marburg and Idar-Oberstein will follow in early 2028 and late 2028, respectively. Biontech attributed the failed search for buyers to the challenging market and investment environment.
The company claimed to have reached supplementary severance agreements with the works council to manage the closures socially responsibly. However, they did not disclose further details. A spokesperson for Biontech stated, "Despite the efforts of all parties involved and extensive sales processes, we have unfortunately not been able to realize a purchase."
Idar-Oberstein previously produced Covid-19 mRNA vaccines and plasmid DNA, a crucial raw material for mRNA vaccines and cell therapies. Biontech acquired the Marburg site from Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis and had invested millions of dollars.
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