Despite its attempts to find potential buyers, German biotechnology company BioNTech is closing multiple manufacturing facilities in Germany as part of a production footprint consolidation due to excess capacity.

In May, BioNTech disclosed that it planned to phase out operations at several sites impacting 1,860 jobs. At the time, the company said it was exploring divestment options through the end of the third quarter of 2026, including a partial or total sale. However, after failing to secure potential buyers over the past few months, BioNTech has decided to throw in the towel.  

“The company had announced that it would explore the possibility of a full or partial sale of the sites by the end of September 2026,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Pharma Manufacturing. “BioNTech successfully identified a buyer for peptide manufacturer JPT in Berlin, who will retain the entire workforce. Despite the efforts of all parties involved, a sale of the other sites, namely Marburg, Idar-Oberstein, and the former CureVac sites in Germany and internationally, could not be realized.”

In August, BioNTech reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of EUR 106 million, down from EUR 261 million during the prior-year period, reflecting lower demand for the COVID-19 vaccine. The company disclosed that this year — for the first time — Germany will utilize previously manufactured on-stock vaccine doses for the upcoming vaccination season. 

The company also last month announced a fund advised by DUBAG Group will acquire all shares of JPT, which will continue operations as an independent provider for custom peptide synthesis and peptide-based reagents. However, BioNTech will end operations at its Tübingen site in Germany by the end of 2027, while Marburg will shut down at the beginning of 2028 and Idar-Oberstein at the end of 2028.

The Idar-Oberstein facility manufactures cell therapy products and clinical bulk mRNA. The Marburg site produces mRNA for vaccines, while the Tübingen facility was part of BioNTech’s 2025 acquisition of CureVac.

Cost savings from the site closings could potentially reach approximately €500 million ($585 million) in recurring annual savings once fully implemented in 2029, the company previously said. The savings are meant to support BioNTech’s capital allocation to advance its growing oncology pipeline toward commercialization.

“No impact on commercial or clinical supply nor contractual obligations is expected as the affected sites will become underutilized or idle in the next 24 months,” BioNTech said in May, emphasizing that the company “continues to ensure a robust drug supply via its established manufacturing network.”

CFO Ramón Zapata told analysts during May’s earnings call that BioNTech’s commercial and R&D drug supply “will be covered” by its broader manufacturing network.

“Supply of our COVID-19 vaccine will be fully handled by our partner, Pfizer, via their established manufacturing capacities beginning at the end of 2026,” Zapata said. “These plans underline our commitment to continuously steer our capacities in support of our strategy to become a multi-product company by 2030.”

According to Zapata, BioNTech plans to continue aligning and consolidating its manufacturing network, focusing on sites where capacities will become underutilized or idle in the next 24 months.

“Excess capacity can be driven by evolving supply needs, mergers and acquisitions, BioNTech’s partners manufacturing capacities, and completion of contracts,” he added.