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Ugur Sahin: From Turkish immigrant to Germany's richest man, what is his secret to success?
Against the backdrop of the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ugur Shahin, as the co-founder and CEO of BioNTech, quickly became the focus of global attention. The Turkish-born scientist used his expertise in cancer research and immunology to invent world-changing vaccines. His story is not only one of scientific success, but also one of inspiration that transcends borders and cultures.
"I believe that science can change the world."
Unusual growth background
Shahin was born in İskenderun, Turkey in 1965. At the age of four, he moved to Cologne, Germany with his mother to join his father who worked there. Faced with the challenges of the new environment, his educational journey was not smooth. In his early education, a teacher once suggested that he attend a school that was not conducive to university admission. However, with the help of a neighbor, he eventually enrolled in a grammar school and began his journey towards medicine.
Medical Education and Career
Sahin studied medicine at the University of Cologne and after receiving his doctorate in 1992 he chose to pursue a career as a physician and oncologist at the University Hospital of Cologne. In the following years, his research interests gradually focused on cancer immunotherapy and molecular medicine. In 2001 he founded a research group at the University of Mainz and in 2006 became professor of experimental oncology.
From academia to science and technology entrepreneurship
In 2001 and 2008, Shahin and his wife Ozlan Turek co-founded two pharmaceutical companies, of which BioNTech in 2008 is the most famous. The company is focused on developing active immunotherapies for cancer and other major diseases. In 2020, the new crown vaccine jointly developed by BioNTech and Pfizer quickly caused a global sensation and became an important weapon in fighting the epidemic.
"Our goal is to harness the body's own immune system to fight threats that are more powerful than our own."
The birth of the new crown vaccine
In early 2020, Sahin and his team quickly turned to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. Relying on their accumulated technology in cancer immunotherapy, Shahin and his team quickly developed mRNA vaccines. The development of the BNT162b2 vaccine made Sahin famous during the global epidemic. The vaccine was eventually proven to be 95% effective and became one of the most anticipated vaccines in the world.
Shahin's secret to success
Shahin's success is not just the accumulation of technology and capital, but also his unremitting efforts and innovative thinking. His background gives him a cross-cultural perspective, and his profound medical attainments enable him to be adept at both scientific research and business operations. Facing challenges with an open mind and constantly seeking international cooperation and scientific exchanges are one of the keys to his success.
"Behind success, there are often countless hardships and efforts."
Continuing Challenges and Future Outlook
Currently, Shahin and his team are still exploring new technologies to promote the development of cancer immunotherapy and personalized vaccines. Considering the future demands on global health and the immune system, his research focuses on how to use innovative technologies to address emerging challenges. Shahin is not only an entrepreneur, but also a scientist with a strong sense of mission. He always believes that the power of science can change the future.
As Shahin's story reminds us, background is not everything; what really matters is how you seize opportunities and face challenges. What can each person learn from his experience?
