Welcome to this week’s Chutes & Ladders, our roundup of significant leadership hirings, firings and retirings across the industry. Please send the good word—or the bad—from your shop to Darren Incorvaia or Zoey Becker and it will be featured here at the end of each week.
BioNTech founders will depart to pioneer new company
BioNTech
Years after BioNTech’s CEO Uğur Şahin, M.D., and Chief Medical Officer Özlem Türeci, M.D., spearheaded the company through the roaring commercial success of Pfizer-partnered COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty, the duo is preparing to take their hands off the wheel. Şahin and Türeci, a married couple, founded BioNTech together in 2008. Now, nearly two decades later, the executives are stepping down to start up a new company, which will advance next-generation mRNA innovations using “distinct resources, operations and funding options.” However, BioNTech will also hand over its mRNA tech on an “arm’s length basis” in exchange for a minority stake in the new biotech, plus milestone and royalty considerations, which will open the door to collaboration on potential combination approaches.
Şahin and Türeci will officially pivot to the new company by the end of 2026. It will be the third biotech the duo has created together, following BioNTech and 2001-founded Ganymed Pharmaceuticals.
“Özlem and I are ready to become pioneers once again,” Şahin said. Story
OSE makes interim CEO permanent
OSE Immunotherapeutics
After serving as interim CEO since October 2025, Marc Le Bozec has been confirmed as the permanent CEO of OSE Immunotherapeutics, a French biotech focused on immuno-oncology and immuno-inflammation. Described as having “strategic grit and visionary leadership” by the company’s chairman, Le Bozec was appointed interim CEO just days after joining the board. Former CEO Nicolas Poirier, Ph.D., was removed from the role last October but retained his title of chief scientific officer. An advisor to numerous biotech companies as a consultant, board member and investor, Le Bozec previously created and managed two biotech investment funds at Financière Arbevel, where he facilitated two exits. He also previously served as CFO of Cellectis, where he raised 120 million euros ($138 million) and was instrumental in the company’s Nasdaq listing. Release
Ipsen adds former Alltrna CEO as North America leader
Ipsen
French biopharma Ipsen has plucked a new North American leader from the Boston biotech scene. After departing as CEO of Flagship Pioneering-backed Alltrna, Michelle Werner will take up a position at Ipsen as executive vice president, president of North America effective March 23. She replaces Keira Driansky, who is departing Ipsen to pursue other opportunities. Werner’s Alltrna tenure ended amid a 35% layoff round meant to position the tRNA-focused biotech for the clinic. Before jumping into the biotech world, Werner spent close to 18 years in Big Pharma, leading Bristol Myers Squibb’s Reyataz brand and overseeing the hematology franchise at AstraZeneca and the solid tumor franchise at Novartis, among other roles. Release | Story
> After a tumultuous tenure marked by recent clashes with the biopharma industry, Vinay Prasad, M.D., will be departing his post as director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the end of April. Story
> Cancer detection specialist Grail is turning over a new leadership leaf, with CEO Bob Ragusa set to retire in June and company President Josh Ofman, M.D., to replace him. Release
> Glaucoma-focused Qlaris Bio envisioned a new CEO in seasoned ophthalmology leader Fred Guerard, who replaces founding CEO Thurein Htoo. Release
> French biotech Vect-Horus has named Claudia Fromond, Ph.D., director of research and development. Fromond is a pharmacology and translational science leader who previously held R&D roles at Advesya, OSE Immunotherapeutics and Ablynx (acquired by Sanofi), among others. Release
> Serial biotech founder Thomas Montgomery Andresen, Ph.D., will be the new CEO of autoimmune-focused Commit Biologics. With more than 20 years of experience co-founding biotech companies, including Flagship Pioneering-backed Torque Therapeutics, he most recently served as CEO of T-Cypher Bio. Release
> Cancer treatment and monitoring biotech Ratio Therapeutics has named Colin Hayward as chief medical officer. He will help advance the company’s radiopharmaceutical pipeline and its phase 1/2 sarcoma trial. Release