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Bio-Techne to Be Acquired by Germany's Merck in $11.3 Billion Deal

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Bio-Techne to Be Acquired by Germany's Merck in $11.3 Billion Deal

Bio-Techne (TECH) said Thursday it has agreed to be acquired by Merck KGaA in an all-cash deal with an enterprise value of about $11.3 billion, as the German drugmaker aims to expand its presence in life sciences markets.

Merck KGaA will pay $73 per Bio-Techne share in cash, representing a 36% premium to the US-based company's one-month volume-weighted average trading price, according to a joint statement.

Life sciences company Bio-Techne's portfolio includes lab reagents and tools used in biological research, diagnostics and drug development. Merck KGaA said the acquisition would strengthen its position in high-growth life sciences markets, including multi-omics, spatial biology, precision diagnostics and cell and gene therapy.

The acquisition would give Merck KGaA access to ProteinSimple, automated protein detection and analysis systems, strengthening its analytical and bioprocessing capabilities, the statement said. It would also expand Merck's spatial biology and diagnostics tools through Bio-Techne's RNAscope technology.

Bio-Techne's shares rose 20% in the most recent premarket activity.

"This transaction is an important milestone towards delivering on our mid- to long-term strategic agenda," Merck KGaA Chief Executive Kai Beckmann said, adding that the combination will expand the company's scientific capabilities and customer reach while accelerating innovation.

Merck KGaA expects the proposed deal to be immediately accretive to sales growth and EBITDA pre margin after closing, and accretive to earnings per share by year three after closing.

The deal is expected to close in late 2026 or early 2027, subject to Bio-Techne shareholder approval and regulatory clearances.

Bio-Techne will have expanded scale and capabilities to accelerate innovation as part of Merck KGaA, CEO Kim Kelderman said.

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