The mRNA-based vaccine developed by BioNTech, which proved over 90% effective against COVID-19 in clinical trials, represents the culmination of two decades of research led by Özlem Türeci. Born in 1967 in Siegen, Germany, she has dedicated her career to immunology, specifically targeting tumor-specific molecules and advancing personalized medical therapies to combat cancer and infectious diseases.
Academic Foundation and Early Research
Türeci attended the Werner-von-Siemens-Gymnasium before pursuing medical studies at Saarland University. She earned her doctorate from the Medical Faculty of Saarland in 1992. Her early academic path was supported by a Heisenberg fellowship from the German Research Foundation. By 2002, she achieved her habilitation at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, where she focused on molecular medicine. As a Privatdozent and university teacher, she solidified her reputation within the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Translational Oncology and Commercial Enterprise
In 2001, Türeci co-founded TRON, a translational oncology institute designed to bridge laboratory findings with clinical applications. This focus on biopharmaceutical research led to the creation of spin-off companies. She co-founded Ganymed Pharmaceuticals that same year, where she served as chief scientific officer and later as chief executive officer until the firm was sold to Astellas Pharma in 2016 for $1.4 billion. This period of entrepreneurship centered on developing ideal monoclonal antibodies, including zolbetuximab, for gastric and esophageal cancer treatment.
BioNTech and Global Vaccine Development
Türeci, her husband Uğur Şahin, and Christoph Huber founded BioNTech in 2008 to explore mRNA-based immunotherapies. Serving as chief medical officer since 2018, Türeci spearheaded the clinical research for Project Lightspeed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her team accelerated the development of the BNT162b2 vaccine in collaboration with Pfizer and Fosun Pharma. Following the success of the vaccine, the organization transitioned resources toward its primary mission: creating tailor-made mRNA cancer vaccines.
Fast facts
- Born: 1967, Siegen
- Citizenship: Germany, Turkey
- Key Role: Chief Medical Officer, BioNTech
- Education: Saarland University
- Fields of Work: Immunology, Vaccine Development, Oncology
- Award: Axel Springer Award (2021)
- Award: Princess of Asturias Award (2021)
- Award: Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize (2022)
Questions readers ask
What is the focus of Türeci’s current research?
She is currently focused on personalized cancer immunotherapies and the development of mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases like malaria.
What was the significance of the 2016 sale of Ganymed Pharmaceuticals?
The company was sold to Astellas Pharma for $1.4 billion after developing zolbetuximab for the treatment of gastric and esophageal cancers.
