Merz hails BioNTech founders' 'courage' as they receive German prize

The co-founders of German drugmaker BioNTech, which was one of the first companies to develop an effective vaccine against the coronavirus, were honoured with Germany's National Prize on Tuesday.

In his laudatory speech, Chancellor Friedrich Merz hailed Özlem Türeci and Ugur Sahin for their "extraordinary courage".

"You both embody the future strength of a liberal society. As scientists who seek solutions. But also as entrepreneurs for whom responsibility is at the centre of their work," Merz said during the award ceremony held at Berlin's Französische Friedrichstadtkirche church.

The two scientists, who specialize in the development of immunotherapies against cancer, infectious diseases and diseases of the immune and nervous system, developed a coronavirus vaccine in 2020, over the course of less than a year.

Merz also praised the two researchers, who have Turkish roots, as examples of the importance of "skilled labour immigration as a driver of progress."

"I want to live in a Germany in which talent is promoted to the best of our ability, regardless of social or ethnic background," said Merz.

Ideologies calling this tenet into question jeopardize "the future of our liberal order with their narrow-mindedness," the German leader said.

The German National Prize has been awarded by the German National Foundation since 1997 to individuals or organizations for their efforts to a democratic society.

The award is endowed with a total of €50,000 ($57,000).

The German National Foundation was established by former chancellor Helmut Schmidt and friends in 1993.