Özlem Türeci

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Empfang für Özlem Türeci und Uğur Şahin im Rathaus Köln-5264 (cropped)

Özlem Türeci is a German immunologist and entrepreneur known for her significant contributions to the field of medicine, particularly in the development of mRNA vaccines. Born on March 6, 1967, in Lastrup, Germany, Türeci has been a pivotal figure in the global fight against infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

Early Life and Education

Türeci was born to Turkish immigrant parents in Germany. Her father, a surgeon, inspired her interest in medicine from a young age. She pursued her medical studies at the Saarland University, where she focused on oncology and immunotherapy, areas that would define her career. After obtaining her medical degree, Türeci worked on her doctoral thesis in the field of cancer research, which laid the groundwork for her future endeavors in cancer vaccines.

Career

In 2001, Özlem Türeci co-founded Ganymed Pharmaceuticals, a company dedicated to developing antibody therapies for cancer. Under her leadership, Ganymed made significant strides in the identification of unique targets on cancer cells, leading to the development of novel therapeutic antibodies.

In 2008, Türeci, along with her husband Uğur Şahin and Christoph Huber, co-founded BioNTech, a biotechnology company focused on developing personalized immunotherapies for cancer and other serious diseases. Türeci has served as the Chief Medical Officer of BioNTech, where her work has been instrumental in the development of the company's mRNA technology platform. This platform gained worldwide attention in 2020 for its role in developing one of the first and most effective vaccines against COVID-19, known as BNT162b2, in collaboration with Pfizer.

Achievements and Honors

Türeci has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to medicine and biotechnology. Her work in the development of mRNA vaccines has not only marked a milestone in the fight against COVID-19 but also opened new avenues for vaccine research and development against various infectious diseases and cancer.

Personal Life

Özlem Türeci is married to Uğur Şahin, her long-time collaborator and co-founder of BioNTech. Together, they have been recognized for their philanthropic efforts and contributions to science and medicine.

Legacy and Impact

Türeci's work has had a profound impact on the field of immunotherapy and vaccine development. Her pioneering efforts in mRNA technology have paved the way for rapid and effective responses to global health crises, showcasing the potential of innovative approaches in combating infectious diseases and cancer.