Biontech: Unsicherheit und Herausforderungen bei der Standortstrategie

Lack of Transparency at Biontech

The IG BCE union has accused Biontech’s management of lacking serious intentions to sell the production sites threatened with closure. Christian Trapp, union secretary, stated to the German Press Agency that there is a lack of transparency and information from the company. This uncertainty is leading to growing insecurity among employees.

Additionally, the corporate works council is not involved in the decision-making processes, further complicating the situation. The board’s announcement that the sale of the plants in Idar-Oberstein, Marburg, and Singapore, as well as the sites of the acquired company Curevac, should be completed by October imposes a tight deadline. This short timeframe complicates negotiations and increases pressure on the affected sites.

Jobs at Risk

The closure plans potentially affect nearly 1,900 jobs, with around 820 positions at stake at Curevac, primarily at its headquarters in Tübingen. Despite signals that discussions are being held with potential buyers, Trapp expresses doubts about the company’s seriousness in selling the affected sites and securing the jobs. This skepticism could negatively impact employee retention and the company’s reputation.

Biontech’s decision to close several production facilities is justified by low utilization, overcapacity, and the pursuit of cost savings. Such measures, while understandable from a business perspective, could jeopardize the company’s competitiveness in the global market, especially if the focus shifts to profitability rather than innovation and employee development.

Strategic Realignment

The IG BCE also criticizes that management has not presented a clear strategy for the time after the departure of founders Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci. Trapp describes that Biontech once embodied the spirit of a start-up that wanted to improve the world. However, with the current developments, the focus seems to be on short-term profits, undermining employee trust.

Founded in 2008 by Sahin and Türeci, Biontech plans to establish a new company dedicated to developing the next generation of mRNA-based drugs. As the founders pursue their new vision, the question remains how Biontech’s management and strategic direction will evolve under new leadership. The search for a new leader has already begun, with a focus on the USA.

Return to Oncology

According to its own statements, Biontech employs around 7,200 people worldwide, including about 4,000 in Mainz. Sahin assured in his last speech as CEO during the virtual annual meeting that socially responsible solutions would be found for all employees affected by job losses. The planned closures are set against the backdrop of a strategic realignment of the company, which aims to refocus on research and development in the field of oncology.

Biontech gained worldwide recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic through the development of the first approved vaccine against Covid-19 in collaboration with Pfizer. In the future, the production of this vaccine will be fully covered by Pfizer’s sites in Europe and America. This decision could increase pressure on Biontech to successfully position itself in other therapeutic areas to maintain growth and shareholder value.