European takeover of Curevac signifies a positive development for the continent, claims founder.
BioNTech, the German pharmaceutical company behind the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, is set to acquire CureVac in a significant move that promises to reshape the European mRNA landscape. The all-stock transaction, valued at approximately $1.25 billion, is expected to close later in 2025, pending regulatory approval and shareholder acceptance.
The acquisition ends ongoing patent disputes between the two companies over mRNA technology, uniting two major German mRNA biotech firms that had been rivals in the industry. CureVac, headquartered in Tübingen, Germany, had shifted focus from COVID-19 and flu vaccines to cancer immunotherapies, aligning well with BioNTech’s long-term oncology strategy.
Ingmar Hoerr, founder of CureVac, finds this takeover a positive sign for Europe. He stepped down from his post at CureVac in March 2020 following a brain hemorrhage and withdrew his planned candidacy for the supervisory board in 2021 due to health problems. The technological know-how and experience of CureVac in mRNA technology should not be underestimated, as both companies had developed similar things separately in the past.
The integration of CureVac’s research and manufacturing assets is expected to bolster BioNTech’s production capacity and accelerate mRNA therapy development, enhancing Europe's position in advanced biotech innovation. For Tübingen, home to CureVac’s headquarters and facilities, this deal likely means continued investment and potential expansion of high-tech biotech jobs and infrastructure, reinforcing the city’s role as a key hub in the European mRNA and pharmaceutical landscape.
The consolidation of two leading German biotechs could also stimulate further biotech collaborations, strengthen regional clusters, and improve competitiveness against global pharmaceutical players. Alongside US-based Moderna, BioNTech, post-takeover, will be one of the mRNA technology leaders in Europe.
However, the deal is not yet finalized and remains subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder votes.
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The acquisition of CureVac by BioNTech, a move valued at approximately $1.25 billion, not only resolves ongoing patent disputes between the two companies over mRNA technology but also unites two major German mRNA biotech firms. This integration is expected to bolster BioNTech's production capacity and accelerate mRNA therapy development, potentially strengthening Europe's position in advanced biotech innovation and technology. Moreover, the collective financial resources of both companies could influence the development of economic and social policy in the business sector, particularly regarding biotech and pharmaceutical industries.
