BioNTech has announced it will be cutting jobs in its manufacturing plants in Germany and Singapore, saying it would explore "divestment options" for each site, according to its 2026 first-quarter earnings release.
The vaccine manufacturer plans to exit operations at its production sites in Singapore and the German cities of Idar-Oberstein and Marburg, as well as at its CureVac subsidiary's former headquarters in Tübingen, Germany.
The move could result in up to 1860 jobs — nearly 22% of its total workforce — being cut.
BioNTech has faced declining COVID-19 vaccine sales and hopes to save up to €500m per year through the cost-cutting measures, freeing up capital to invest in the development of its oncology medications.
During the presentation of the company's Q1 financial results, BioNTech said it planned to "adjust and consolidate its production network where excess capacity is expected due to evolving supply needs, mergers and acquisitions, BioNTech's partners' manufacturing capacities and completion of contracts."
BioNTech plans to exit from the three German sites by the end of 2027, while its Singapore operations should wind down in the first quarter of that year.
The decision has prompted anger from stakeholders and politicians. The Tübingen factory had only recently been taken over by BioNTech from struggling vaccine producer Curevac, after the vaccine manufacturer acquired it in January 2026.
Tübingen Mayor Boris Palmer said he was shocked by the news, accusing BioNTech of undermining trust in the company's commitments and regional development policy.
BioNTech is developing several late-stage oncology programmes and has stated that it plans to continue "scaling the business for late-stage development and commercial readiness in oncology."
The company may also "continue to evaluate appropriate corporate development opportunities," it added in its first-quarter release.