Key Takeaways:
- Merck KGaA to acquire Bio-Techne for $73 per share in cash
- Deal values Bio-Techne at $11.3 billion enterprise value
- Bio-Techne shares surged 19% in pre-market trading on the news
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Merck KGaA to buy Bio-Techne for $11.3 billion in cash deal
Merck KGaA agreed to acquire Bio-Techne Corp. for $73 per share in cash, valuing the life sciences tools provider at about $11.3 billion and sending its shares up 19% in pre-market trading.
"The acquisition of Bio-Techne strengthens our life science portfolio with high-quality analytical tools and consumables that complement our existing offerings," said Belén Garijo, chair of the executive board at Merck KGaA, in a statement. "This transaction accelerates our strategy in the fast-growing life science tools market."
The offer represents a 36% premium to Bio-Techne's one-month volume-weighted average trading price. Merck KGaA, the German science and technology company, plans to fund the deal through a combination of existing cash and proceeds from new debt, while preserving a strong investment-grade credit rating. Bio-Techne, based in Minneapolis, generated about $1.2 billion in revenue in its most recent fiscal year as a global supplier of recombinant proteins, antibodies, and cell culture reagents used in drug development and manufacturing.
The acquisition comes as Merck KGaA moves to bolster its life sciences division amid growing demand for cell culture and bioprocessing reagents. The deal follows Merck's March 2026 acquisition of HUB Organoids and its $50 million commitment in June to launch Saturnus Bio with Versant Ventures, signaling an aggressive push to expand its presence across the drug development value chain. Bio-Techne's portfolio of GMP-grade reagents and analytical platforms positions it to benefit from the projected expansion of the recombinant cell culture supplements market, which analysts estimate could nearly quadruple to $3.25 billion by 2035.
The transaction is subject to Bio-Techne shareholder approval and required regulatory clearances. Merck expects the deal to close in the second half of 2026. Bio-Techne's board has unanimously approved the agreement and recommended shareholders vote in favor.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
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