COVID-19 jab manufacturer BioNTech intends to close multiple sites in Germany after demand for the experimental shot plummeted.

“Despite the intensive efforts of all parties involved and a broad-based sales process, it was unfortunately not possible to realize a sale,” a BioNTech spokesperson told Fierce Pharma.

Fierce Pharma explained further:

All told, BioNTech estimated that its decision to end those operations, including any CureVac sites abroad, will affect up to 1,800 jobs.

The three facilities in Germany being affected include manufacturing sites in Idar-Oberstein and Marburg, and the legacy headquarters in Tübingen by CureVac, which was acquired by BioNTech for $1.25 billion in 2025.

Separately, BioNTech is also set to end operations at its Singapore plant, bought from Novartis in 2022 amid an expansion spree of its mRNA footprint. The company has not provided an update on whether a new owner is in sight for the Singapore site.

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In terms of financial impact, BioNTech expects its German operations consolidation efforts to generate 500 million euros in annual cost savings.

“BioNTech intends to reinvest these savings, as part of its capital allocation strategy, into advancing its oncology pipeline toward commercialization,” the spokesperson added.

Reuters noted:

The restructuring, affecting up to 1,860 jobs, ​was part ​of a ⁠production transfer of its COVID-19 vaccine to partner Pfizer.

BioNTech, the ​initial inventor of the Western world’s ​most ⁠commonly used immunisation shot during the pandemic, said in March that its two co-founders would leave ⁠by ​the end of this ​year to start a new venture.

 

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