Biontech to close three sites: 1,800 jobs affected
The German biotechnology company Biontech has announced a drastic restructuring. As the company stated, three production sites will be closed. This decision affects around 1,800 employees worldwide.
The reason for this step is the declining demand for COVID-19 vaccines. During the pandemic, Biontech had grown significantly and had massively expanded its production capacities. However, as the global situation has stabilized, these large capacities are no longer needed in their current form.
The closures primarily affect sites in Germany. In the future, Biontech intends to focus more strongly on the development of new drugs, particularly cancer therapies. The company emphasizes that it must now work more efficiently to advance research in other areas.
The company is seeking socially responsible solutions for the affected employees. It is being examined whether staff can transfer to other locations or whether severance plans need to be drawn up. The trade unions have already called for talks with management to keep the impact on the workforce as low as possible.
This news is also significant for Switzerland, as Biontech is a major player in the healthcare sector. Many Swiss clinics and research institutes work closely with the company. Experts are now closely monitoring whether this restructuring will also have an impact on ongoing research projects or the supply of medication in Switzerland.