BioNTech Appoints Novartis Executive As Finance Chief, Reaffirms 2025 Outlook Focusing on Oncology Expansion

BioNTech SE BNTX on Monday reported a first-quarter per-share loss of $1.82 (1.73 euros), up from 1.31 euros reported a year ago compared to beating the consensus of $2.02.

The COVID-19 vaccine maker reported sales of $192.23 million (182 million euros), compared to 187 million euros, beating the consensus of $177.40 million.

Revenues during the first quarter of 2025 were mainly driven by revenues derived from BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine collaboration.

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“Our revenues for the first quarter reflect the seasonal demand for COVID-19 vaccines and are in line with our expectations,” said Jens Holstein, CFO of BioNTech. “BioNTech’s robust financial position empowers us to pursue our strategic goal of evolving into a leading biotech company with multiple oncology products by 2030.”

Cost of sales was 83.8 million euros compared to 59.1 million a year ago, mainly due to a positive impact of an inventory revaluation in the first quarter of 2024.

Research and development expenses were 525.6 million euros compared to 507.5 million euros a year ago. The increase was mainly driven by progressing late-stage clinical studies for candidates in BioNTech’s ADC and antibody portfolio.

Cash and cash equivalents plus security investments as of March 31, 2025, reached 15.85 billion euros.

CFO Appointment

BioNTech appointed Ramón Zapata-Gomez to the Management Board on Monday as Chief Financial Officer, effective July 1, 2025. He will join BioNTech from Novartis AG’s NVS global biomedical research organization, where he has been serving as CFO since 2022. Ramón Zapata will succeed Jens Holstein, who, as previously planned and announced, will retire at the end of his term on June 30, 2025.

Guidance For 2025

BioNTech reaffirmed its fiscal year 2025 guidance of 1.7 billion-2.2 billion euros compared to the consensus of 2.08 billion euros and revenue phasing similar to 2024, primarily concentrated in the last three to four months, driving the full-year revenue figure. The revenue guidance assumes:

Relatively stable vaccination rates, pricing levels, and market share compared to 2024.
Estimated inventory write-downs and other charges by BioNTech’s collaboration partner Pfizer Inc’s PFE that negatively influence BioNTech’s revenues.
Anticipated revenues from a pandemic preparedness contract with the German government.
Anticipated revenues from the BioNTech Group service businesses.
Potential changes to the law or governmental policy, including tariffs, public health policy, and evolving public sentiment worldwide, could further negatively impact our anticipated revenues and expenses.

BioNTech expects to focus investments on R&D and scaling the business for late-stage development and commercial readiness in oncology while remaining cost-disciplined.

As part of BioNTech’s strategy, the Company may continue to evaluate appropriate corporate development opportunities to drive sustainable long-term growth and create future value.

Price Action: BNTX stock is down 3.65% at $101.11 at the last check Monday.

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