Biontech was actually founded to use mRNA "vaccines" to mark tumor cells for your immune system, so that your immune system starts attacking the tumor cells. It was never the plan to produce actual vaccines against viral diseases, but due to their research, they were perfectly positioned to do so, when the pandemic struck.
AFAIK this is somewhat incorrect. Biotech switched to vaccine focus before SARS2 and the reason for the rapid development was the groundwork done for a SARS(1) vaccine.
It is also worth noting, the mRNA part wasn't the innovative technology, but the nano lipid vehicle allowing immune evasion and cell fusion.
Because of that, the SARS2 pandemic fast tracked the tech for numerous targets and will benefit cancer medicine as well as future vaccine developments.
