BioNTech Seals $1.25B CureVac Deal to Accelerate Cancer Treatment Development

German biotechnology giant BioNTech has announced its acquisition of domestic rival CureVac in a $1.25 billion all-stock deal, marking a significant consolidation in the mRNA therapeutics space. The transaction, which unites two former competitors from the COVID-19 vaccine race, represents BioNTech’s strategic pivot toward cancer immunotherapy development while ending years of patent litigation between the companies.

CureVac shareholders will receive a substantial 55% premium over the three-month average share price, positioning them to own approximately 4-6% of the combined entity.

BioNTech to Acquire CureVac in $1.25 Billion Deal

Under the all-stock transaction, CureVac shareholders will receive approximately $5.46 worth of BioNTech American Depositary Shares for each CureVac share owned, subject to a collar mechanism that adjusts the exchange ratio based on BioNTech’s stock price.

The deal has garnered support from key stakeholders, including SAP co-founder Dietmar Hopp, who holds a 37% stake in CureVac, and the German government, which owns approximately 13% of CureVac from its pandemic-era investment. The acquisition aims to strengthen BioNTech’s research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization capabilities for investigational mRNA-based cancer immunotherapy.

BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin emphasized that the deal is designed to advance “the development of innovative and transformative cancer treatments and establishing new standards of care for various types of cancer in the coming years.”

The transaction strategically eliminates the ongoing patent litigation between the companies over alleged mRNA patent infringement and vaccine revenue sharing, clearing the path for unified development efforts. CureVac had already pivoted toward oncology focus about a year ago when it sold its influenza and COVID-19 vaccine programs to GSK, making this acquisition a natural progression for both companies’ strategic objectives.

Join our Telegram group and never miss a breaking digital asset story.

CureVac Shares Skyrocket After BioNTech Deal

The announcement triggered dramatic market movements, with CureVac shares skyrocketing 38.7% to $5.65, reaching their highest level since December 2023 and representing a remarkable 65.69% year-to-date gain. In contrast, BioNTech shares experienced modest volatility, initially declining 2% but recovering to close up 1.01% at $106.52, though the stock remains down nearly 8% year-to-date. The stark difference in market reaction reflects investor enthusiasm for CureVac’s premium buyout price versus concerns about BioNTech’s integration costs and execution risks.

CureVac’s financial turnaround has been impressive, showing a 34.5% profit margin and positive cash flow of $92.39 million, a significant improvement from its previous struggles following the failed COVID-19 vaccine development. The company’s market capitalization of $1.272 billion represents a dramatic recovery from its pandemic lows, though still well below its December 2020 peak when shares traded above $120 on COVID vaccine optimism. BioNTech’s robust balance sheet, bolstered by billions in COVID vaccine revenues from its Pfizer partnership, positions the company well to fund this acquisition and accelerate combined cancer research programs.

Disclaimer: The author does not hold or have a position in any securities discussed in the article. All stock prices were quoted at the time of writing.