- Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bio-Techne for approximately $11.3 billion.
- The acquisition would combine the companies’ life science capabilities across research, development, analytical technologies, testing, and commercial manufacturing.
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bio-Techne Corp. for approximately $11.3 billion. The planned acquisition would combine the companies’ life science portfolios to support customers across research, development, testing, and commercial manufacturing workflows.
According to the companies, the transaction would strengthen Merck KGaA’s capabilities by adding Bio-Techne’s portfolio of recombinant proteins, cytokines, growth factors, antibodies, immunoassay kits, automated protein detection and analysis instruments, and in situ hybridization technologies. The acquisition would also expand Merck KGaA’s offerings for cell therapy developers through Bio-Techne’s materials, analytics, and process technologies.
Merck KGaA said the combined organization would bring together complementary expertise in life science tools, analytical technologies, and manufacturing capabilities. Bio-Techne operates 34 locations globally, including 15 manufacturing facilities across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and China, and reported sales of more than $1.2 billion in fiscal year 2025.
“This transaction is an important milestone towards delivering on our mid- to long-term strategic agenda. Bio-Techne is an outstanding fit that directly supports our strategic direction focused on delivering cutting-edge products and solutions across the entire industry value chain – from lab customers to those manufacturing in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.”
Kai Beckmann, Chairman of the Executive Board and Group CEO of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Bio-Techne employs more than 3,000 people worldwide, including approximately 2,300 employees in the United States. The companies said the planned transaction is intended to strengthen their combined ability to support customers from scientific discovery through therapeutic development and commercial manufacturing.
