Merck KGaA to Acquire Bio-Techne, Expanding End-to-End Life-Science Platform
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, agreed to acquire Bio-Techne for US$73 per share in cash, valuing the deal at about US$11.3 billion (EUR 9.9 billion) and delivering a 36% premium to Bio-Techne’s one-month VWAP. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to EBITDA margins and revenue growth, with EPS accretion by year three after closing. Bio-Techne’s multi-omics, spatial biology, analytical technologies and cell-therapy capabilities would extend Merck KGaA’s life-science footprint from discovery through manufacturing, delivering roughly €140 million in annual cost synergies by year three. Financing will come from cash on hand and new debt, with closing targeted for late 2026 or early 2027, subject to customary approvals and shareholder consent.