BioNTech Acquires CureVac for $1.25 Billion to Advance mRNA-Based Cancer Therapies
BioNTech is set to acquire CureVac in a $1.25 billion all-stock deal, uniting mRNA pioneers to advance cancer breakthroughs.
The merger aims to combine research power and end past patent disputes, signaling a bold leap toward next-gen cancer treatments.
BioNTech has announced its acquisition of fellow mRNA biotech firm CureVac in a $1.25 billion all-stock deal, marking a major consolidation move aimed at revolutionizing the future of cancer treatment. The agreement, revealed on Thursday, will unite two key players in the mRNA vaccine field, bringing their complementary strengths and technologies under one roof.
Both companies are known for their work with messenger RNA (mRNA), a breakthrough technology that gained global recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic. mRNA treatments work by sending genetic instructions into human cells to stimulate immune responses. While the technology is already widely used in some COVID-19 vaccines, it is also being explored as a promising tool against various other diseases, particularly cancer.
BioNTech, based in Mainz, Germany, gained international fame for developing the first approved COVID-19 vaccine in collaboration with Pfizer. Its Comirnaty vaccine became a cornerstone in the fight against the pandemic and is one of the most widely administered shots worldwide. Now, the biotech giant is channeling its mRNA expertise into the oncology space, and the CureVac acquisition is part of a larger strategy to redefine cancer care.
In a statement announcing the acquisition, BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin called the deal “a significant building block” in their ongoing commitment to cancer research and treatment. “This transaction is an investment in the future of cancer medicine and aims to establish new standards of care for various cancer types in the coming years,” Sahin said.
CureVac, headquartered in Tuebingen, has long been regarded as a pioneer in mRNA research. Founded 25 years ago by scientist Ingmar Hoerr, the company was among the early players in the COVID-19 vaccine race. However, it halted its development efforts in 2021 after disappointing clinical trial results. Despite that setback, CureVac has remained an important force in the biotech landscape, with a strong pipeline and valuable intellectual property in the mRNA space.
The deal is also significant given the legal history between the two companies. In 2022, CureVac filed a patent infringement lawsuit against BioNTech, claiming that aspects of the Comirnaty vaccine violated CureVac’s intellectual property. Although the companies did not reference the lawsuit in Thursday’s announcement, the acquisition may bring an end to the ongoing legal tensions, effectively resolving the dispute by merging the competing technologies and patents.
CureVac CEO Alexander Zehnder welcomed the acquisition, stating it would allow both companies to combine their scientific knowledge, technological platforms, and manufacturing capabilities in a way that accelerates innovation. “Bringing these capabilities together under one roof will create a strong and united front in the field of mRNA,” Zehnder said.
The acquisition has been unanimously approved by the management and supervisory boards of BioNTech and is expected to close sometime in 2025, pending regulatory approvals and other conditions. Both BioNTech and CureVac are listed on the Nasdaq Composite Index, making the transaction a significant event in the global biotech investment landscape.
With mRNA now recognized as a transformative technology in medicine, the merger could accelerate the development of mRNA-based immunotherapies that leverage the body’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. The strategic combination positions BioNTech to lead the next generation of cancer care while expanding its mRNA expertise beyond infectious diseases.
This acquisition not only reshapes the competitive landscape of biotech in Germany but also signals a new chapter for both firms, one where their combined resources may lead to life-saving advancements far beyond what they could have achieved independently.
