The National Prize of the German National Foundation has been awarded to BioNTech co-founders Özlem Türeci and Ugur Sahin. The prestigious award was presented on June 10, 2025, at a ceremony held in the French Dome at the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin, in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to science, medicine, and society.

Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz gave a long speech to honour both Özlem Türeci and Ugur Sahin. In 2020, their company BioNTech developed the world’s first approved mRNA-based vaccine against Covid-19, which played a pivotal role in slowing the global spread of the virus. This scientific breakthrough not only saved millions of lives but also ushered in a new era for vaccine and therapeutic development.

Since then, BioNTech has continued to expand its research, focusing on the use of mRNA technology for cancer treatments. Ugur Sahin is a physician, immunologist, and visionary entrepreneur. Known for his modest lifestyle and deep commitment to science, he works closely with his wife and scientific partner, Özlem Türeci, to lead BioNTech’s mission. Together, they represent a powerful example of how innovation, dedication, and intercultural collaboration can bring about global impact. In the lower picture, we can see Prof. Dr Ugur Sahin (left), Prof. Dr Martin Kuhlmann from Vivantes Berlin (middle) and Dr Imre Molnár (right).