By Fineline Cube 
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) disclosed on November 13, 2025 that it has sold a portion of its equity stake in BioNTech SE (NASDAQ: BNTX). A regulatory filing shows the divestiture trimmed Pfizer’s holding from roughly 3.68 million to 1.66 million sponsored American Depositary Shares (ADS), a 54.7 % reduction valued at ≈ USD 163.5 million based on the September 30, 2025 closing price.
BioNTech issued a statement confirming that the strategic partnership launched in 2018—centered on the co‑development of mRNA‑based influenza vaccines—remains unchanged. The company declined to comment on Pfizer’s capital‑market actions.
Transaction Details
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Original Pfizer stake (pre‑sale) | ~3.68 million ADS |
| Post‑sale Pfizer stake | ~1.66 million ADS |
| Percentage sold | 54.7 % |
| Value of remaining stake | USD 163.5 million (Sept 30, 2025) |
| Primary collaboration | mRNA influenza‑vaccine program (initiated 2018) |
| Regulatory filing | Form 13F (SEC) & German transparency register |
Strategic Rationale
- Capital allocation: Pfizer is reshaping its balance sheet after a multi‑year focus on core oncology, vaccines, and rare‑disease pipelines.
- Liquidity generation: The sale frees ≈ USD 180 million of cash, which can be redeployed toward late‑stage mRNA oncology candidates and next‑generation vaccine platforms.
- Partnership continuity: Both parties stress that the research collaboration—including joint clinical trials, shared mRNA technology, and co‑manufacturing agreements—continues without interruption.
Market Reaction
- Pfizer stock: Opened +0.6 % on the news, reflecting modest investor confidence that the divestiture is a routine portfolio adjustment.
- BioNTech stock: Unchanged, as the market had already priced in the partnership’s stability.
- Sector outlook: The move underscores a broader trend of large pharma firms monetizing non‑core equity positions while preserving high‑value R&D alliances in the mRNA space.
Forward‑Looking Statements
This brief contains forward‑looking statements regarding Pfizer’s capital‑allocation strategy, the ongoing BioNTech collaboration, and market expectations. Actual results may differ due to regulatory outcomes, clinical trial progress, and broader macro‑economic conditions.-Fineline Info & Tech