Merck KGaA to acquire BioTechne for $11.3 billion

German science and technology company Merck KGaA has agreed to acquire Minneapolis-based life sciences tools provider BioTechne Corporation in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $11.3 billion. The definitive agreement, announced on Thursday, June 25, 2026, will see Merck pay $73 per share for BioTechne, representing a 36% premium over BioTechne's one-month volume-weighted average trading price.

The acquisition is designed to significantly expand Merck's presence in high-growth areas of life sciences, including multiomics, spatial biology, precision diagnostics, and cell and gene therapy. By integrating BioTechne's portfolio of research reagents, analytical instruments, and consumables, Merck aims to create a combined entity capable of supporting customers across the entire spectrum from discovery research to commercial manufacturing. BioTechne's key technologies include its RNAscope in-situ hybridization platform and ProteinSimple automated protein analysis instruments, which Merck highlighted as complementary to its existing offerings.

Merck's leadership stated the deal directly supports the company's strategic agenda. Kai Beckmann, Chairman of the Executive Board and...