BioNTech boosts cancer mRNA pipeline with CureVac acquisition
Published: 10:31 12 Jun 2025 EDT
BioNTech (NASDAQ:BNTX) announced that it is acquiring CureVac (NASDAQ:CVAC), a fellow German mRNA vaccine developer, in an all-stock deal valued at approximately $1.25 billion.
The acquisition aims to combine the two companies’ complementary scientific capabilities, proprietary technologies, and manufacturing expertise of both companies to strengthen BioNTech's research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of mRNA-based cancer immunotherapy candidates.
“This transaction is another building block in BioNTech’s oncology strategy and an investment in the future of cancer medicine,” BioNTech CEO Dr Ugur Sahin said in a statement.
“We intend to bring together complementary capabilities and leverage technologies with the goal of advancing the development of innovative and transformative cancer treatments and establishing new standards of care for various types of cancer in the coming years.”
Under the deal terms, each share of CureVac will be exchanged for about $5.46 worth of BioNTech American Depositary Shares (ADSs), representing a premium of around 55% over CureVac's recent trading price.
After the acquisition closes, CureVac shareholders will own between 4% and 6% of BioNTech.
The transaction, unanimously approved by both BioNTech’s and CureVac’s management and supervisory boards, is expected to close this year.
Shares of CureVac popped almost 38% at about $5.60 on the news while BioNTech’s Nasdaq-listed shares traded up 0.2% at about $106.
