Bill Gates is once again reaping the rewards of a well-timed bet—this time, on the global explosion of cancer and the rise of mRNA technology as Big Pharma’s next frontier.

In a move that raised eyebrows, Bill Gates quietly offloaded his investments in COVID-era mRNA vaccine makers during the peak of the rollout—only to redirect his capital into biotech firms specializing in cancer therapeutics.

Now, as cancer rates surge globally and the mRNA platform shifts toward oncology, Gates is reaping massive returns. Cancer has officially become Big Pharma’s next gold rush—and Gates positioned himself at the front of the line.

On June 12, 2025, BioNTech SE announced its €1.25 billion ($1.34 billion) acquisition of CureVac N.V., a German mRNA pioneer that Gates heavily invested in years ago. The move signals a dramatic shift: the mRNA infrastructure that dominated COVID-19 response efforts is now being repurposed to chase billions in cancer profits—and Gates is cashing in.

Gates Saw the Cancer Boom Coming

While public attention was locked onto COVID-19, Bill Gates and his affiliated foundations were quietly positioning themselves for what they seemed to anticipate as the next major health crisis: cancer. CureVac—an early mRNA biotech founded in 2000—was one of the first recipients of Gates’ strategic funding, with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation partnering with the company to develop RNA-based therapeutics well before the pandemic hit.

But critics now argue Gates’ move wasn’t just scientific foresight—it was a ruthless economic calculation. As mRNA technology was rapidly deployed worldwide during COVID, reports of spiking cancer rates post-vaccination began to surface.

Rather than prompting concern, this phenomenon may have reinforced the business case for investing in long-term oncology treatments using the very same mRNA platform.

The result? A seamless, profitable pivot. CureVac, having failed to deliver a competitive COVID shot, quietly shifted its focus to cancer—setting up its acquisition by BioNTech and handing Gates a major windfall just as global cancer cases soar.

The acquisition unites two of Germany’s leading mRNA biotech firms, both of which gained global notoriety during the pandemic. BioNTech, which partnered with Pfizer to deliver one of the first mRNA COVID vaccines, is now redirecting its efforts toward personalized cancer therapies, aiming to dominate a field expected to be worth tens of billions annually.

“This transaction is another building block in BioNTech’s oncology strategy and an investment in the future of cancer medicine,” said BioNTech CEO and co-founder Prof. Ugur Sahin, highlighting the deal as a cornerstone in their pivot to cancer vaccines and immunotherapies.

The CureVac acquisition includes its R&D and GMP manufacturing site in Tübingen, a vast intellectual property portfolio, and a highly specialized team—assets that will accelerate BioNTech’s growing oncology pipeline.

Cancer: Big Pharma’s New Cash Cow

The oncology sector is rapidly becoming the new gold rush for pharmaceutical giants. With rising global cancer rates, expedited regulatory pathways for mRNA-based therapies, and public acceptance of experimental platforms, companies are racing to dominate this space.

CureVac’s shareholders, including Gates-affiliated entities, will receive a 55% premium over the company’s recent average share price, and post-merger, will own between 4% and 6% of BioNTech. For early backers like Gates, this represents a massive financial windfall.