Uğur Şahin is the CEO of BioNTech (BNTX). Şahin is based in Germany. Şahin was born in 1965 in İskenderun and educated at Erich Kastner Gymnasium and Saarland University.
Uğur Şahin is a German medical researcher, entrepreneur, and businessman. He is the co-founder and CEO of BioNTech, which developed the world’s first mRNA-based vaccine against COVID-19. He also serves as chairman of the scientific management board of the Helmholtz Institute for Translational Oncology (HI-TRON), a Mainz-based cutting-edge biopharmaceutical research laboratory he co-founded in 2018. He is co-inventor of more than 500 filed patents applications and patents. His main fields of research are cancer research and immunology.
Recent developments
AI summary of recent coverageRecent coverage has focused on Şahin's departure from BioNTech's chief executive role following a leadership transition announced in mid-2026, with Guido Oelkers appointed as the new CEO. Earlier reporting indicated that Şahin and co-founder Özlem Türeci stepped down from their executive positions at BioNTech to establish a new venture focused on AI-powered mRNA therapeutics development.
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Key Facts
Source: Wikidata ↗- Born
- September 19, 1965 · İskenderun
- Citizenship
- Germany, Turkey
- Education
- Erich Kastner Gymnasium, Saarland University, University of Cologne
- Awards
- Axel Springer Award, Financial Times Person of the Year, Georges Köhler Prize, German Cancer Award, Mustafa Prize
Our coverage
On CEOInsider
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Uğur Şahin: FAQ
- What company does Uğur Şahin lead?
- Uğur Şahin is CEO of BioNTech.
- Where was Uğur Şahin educated?
- Uğur Şahin studied at Erich Kastner Gymnasium, Saarland University, University of Cologne.