Uğur Şahin
Awards & Honours
5
Awards Won
4
Honours
3
Rankings
4
Covers
2
Records
Şahin's achievements are historic. He led the development of the first mRNA vaccine approved for use in the West, a breakthrough that saved countless lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. His scientific output includes over 500 patent applications, and he has been recognized with some of the world's most prestigious honors. In 2021, TIME named him one of the 100 most influential people. His work has not only transformed vaccine technology but also opened new avenues for cancer treatment.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Federal Cross of Merit
Germany's highest civilian honor, awarded for his contributions to vaccine development.
Member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
Elected for his outstanding scientific achievements.
Honorary Professor
Recognized for his contributions to oncology and immunology.
Order of Merit of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate
Awarded for his service to science and society.
Rankings & Lists
TIME 100 Most Influential People
Forbes Billionaires List
Handelsblatt's Personality of the Year
Magazine Covers
TIME
2021
The 100 Most Influential People
Forbes
2026-03
Profile of Uğur Şahin, CEO and cofounder of BioNTech
Der Spiegel
2020
The Vaccine Pioneers
Handelsblatt
2020
Person of the Year
Records & Feats
First mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine approved in the West
Developed with Pfizer, this vaccine was the first mRNA vaccine to receive emergency use authorization in Western countries.
First Germans of Turkish descent to top Germany's wealthiest list
Along with his wife Özlem Türeci, Şahin became the first Turkish-descended Germans to enter the top 100 richest people in Germany.