MAINZ, GERMANY – June 12, 2025 – BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX), a global leader in mRNA-based immunotherapies and an mRNA innovator, today announced its definitive agreement to acquire fellow German mRNA vaccine developer CureVac N.V. (Nasdaq: CVAC) in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $1.25 billion. This significant acquisition is poised to bolster BioNTech’s oncology strategy, significantly expanding its mRNA research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization capabilities for mRNA-based cancer immunotherapy candidates.
Under the terms of the agreement, each CureVac share will be exchanged for approximately $5.46 worth of BioNTech American Depository Shares (ADSs), representing a premium over CureVac’s closing stock price on Wednesday. Following the transaction’s expected finalization later this year, CureVac’s shareholders are anticipated to own between 4% and 6% of the combined BioNTech mRNA entity.
While the announcement does not specifically mention the onboarding of CureVac’s wholly-owned pipeline candidates, such as its Phase 1-stage therapeutic mRNA vaccine for resected glioblastoma, BioNTech emphasized the strategic importance of CureVac’s “state-of-the-art” mRNA research and manufacturing site in Tübingen, Germany. This facility is seen as a major asset in scaling BioNTech’s existing mRNA operations.
BioNTech, renowned for its collaboration with Pfizer on the blockbuster COVID-19 mRNA vaccine Comirnaty, has been actively pursuing its strategy to evolve into a “fully integrated immunotherapy powerhouse.” This includes gearing up for a potential approval filing later this year for a next-generation HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate licensed from China’s DaulityBio, as well as advancing its proprietary PD-L1xVEGF bispecific antibody (BNT327) and its mRNA cancer immunotherapy platform, built on cutting-edge mRNA technology.
“This transaction is another building block in BioNTech’s oncology strategy and an investment in the future of cancer medicine, specifically in mRNA advancements,” said Dr. Ugur Sahin, M.D., CEO of BioNTech. “We intend to bring together complementary mRNA 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, all driven by mRNA innovation.”
CureVac has recently pivoted its focus towards oncology after securing a $430 million upfront payment from GSK a year ago for the rights to its influenza and COVID-19 mRNA vaccine programs, a move that also involved a 30% reduction in its workforce.
Dr. Alexander Zehnder, M.D., CEO of CureVac, highlighted the synergy between the two mRNA companies: “For more than two decades, both companies have operated with related ambitions, often tackling challenges from different angles. This transaction aims at combining complementary scientific capabilities, proprietary mRNA technologies, and manufacturing expertise in the mRNA field under one roof.”
Assuming shareholder approval from both companies, the acquisition will lead to a corporate reorganization, with CureVac becoming an mRNA-focused subsidiary of BioNTech.
Source:
https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/biontech-buys-german-mrna-vaccine-peer-curevac-12b-all-stock-deal
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