Biontech plans to take a large Curevac takeover: 1.25 billion for oncology!

Biontech plans to take a large Curevac takeover: 1.25 billion for oncology!

Tübingen, Deutschland - Biontech, one of the leading companies in MRNA research, plans to take over Curevac for about $ 1.25 billion. As derwesten.de , the offer is made with a price of $ 5.46 per curevac share. This step is part of the strategy to significantly expand Biontech's know-how in the area of ​​mRNA-based cancer therapies.

The CEO of Biontech, Uğur Şahin, describes the transaction as an integral part of its oncology strategy. Curevacs CEO, Alexander Zehnder, sees great potential for both companies in the takeover. Curevac's research and development location in Tübingen should be preserved to ensure the continuity of innovative strength.

Details of the takeover

The transaction is handled in the form of a share offer, whereby Curevac shareholders can exchange their shares against Biontech American Depositary Shares (ADSS). This is done in the context of a collar mechanism that adapts the exchange relationships depending on Biontech's share price. Curevac shareholders could therefore hold between 4 % and 6 % of the company shares of Biontech after the takeover. The authorities' permits are required before the takeover can be completed by the end of 2025.

Both companies confirm that the takeover was unanimously approved by the management and supervisory boards. This acquisition aims to strengthen Biontech's research, development, production and marketing of mRNA-based cancer immune therapies. This also includes the latest active ingredient BNT327, which is developed in cooperation with Bristol Myers Squibb. This partnership, which was recently announced, includes an initial investment of $ 1.5 billion and possible milestone payments of up to $ 7.6 billion, which is considered a significant strategic step.

Financial framework and market development

Despite the positive prospects of the takeover, Biontech also sees challenges. The company's income dropped to 3.8 billion euros in 2023 compared to 17.3 billion euros in 2022. This was primarily due to the falling demand for covid 19 vaccines. The net profit fell enormously to 930 million euros after it was 9.4 billion euros last year. In order to shift the focus of Covid 19 vaccines to cancer medication, Biontech significantly increases expenses for research and development-from 1.8 billion euros in 2023 to planned 2.4 to 2.6 billion euros for 2024.

The financing of these ambitions is supported by the strong liquidity of Biontech, which was 15.9 billion euros on March 31, 2023. Biontech could not only open the successful takeover of CureVac, but also strengthen innovative strength in the field of cancer medication. In the past, however, Curevac was faced with setbacks, including a withdrawal of vaccine candidates and patent disputes with Biontech.

Overall, the takeover of Curevac by Biontech indicates a strategic realignment and a strong commitment in the field of oncology, while at the same time the challenges related to COVID-19 pandemic. Both companies are faced with an exciting, albeit moving future in the field of mRNA technology.