European takeover of Curevac signifies a positive move for the continent, claims its founder.
BioNTech and CureVac, two major German biotech companies with a focus on mRNA technology, are set to merge in a significant move for the European mRNA industry. The all-stock deal, valued at approximately $1.25 billion, was announced by BioNTech in mid-2025 and is expected to close later in the year, pending regulatory approval and shareholder acceptance [1][3].
The merger brings together two companies that had previously been competitors, with ongoing patent disputes related to mRNA technology. This acquisition will resolve these legal battles [1][2]. CureVac, which has primarily shifted its focus to cancer therapies following less successful COVID-19 vaccine development, will provide BioNTech with advanced research capabilities and increased manufacturing capacity. This is expected to accelerate BioNTech's development of next-generation mRNA cancer immunotherapies and bolster its leadership in mRNA technology [1][3].
Ingmar Hoerr, the founder of CureVac, views the acquisition positively. With the merger, BioNTech will join US-based Moderna as a major player in mRNA technology, marking a significant strengthening of a European mRNA powerhouse. This consolidation may lead to enhanced innovation and competitiveness on a global level, particularly as BioNTech seeks expansion beyond its COVID-19 vaccine success [1][3].
Meanwhile, the Staatsanzeiger, a German newspaper, offers its readers various sharing options for its articles. Subscribing to the Staatsanzeiger enables saving and sharing of articles, as well as access to email sharing, WhatsApp sharing, Facebook sharing, Twitter sharing, Xing sharing, and LinkedIn sharing [2]. A subscription to the Staatsanzeiger is necessary for managing account preferences and subscribing to topics and saving articles.
The merger between BioNTech and CureVac is expected to lead to a bundling of forces between the two companies, potentially boosting innovation and competitiveness in mRNA cancer therapies and related technologies [1][3][4].
References: [1] BioNTech to acquire CureVac in $1.25 billion all-stock deal. (2025, June 1). The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/biontech-to-acquire-curevac-in-1-25-billion-all-stock-deal-11622841800
[2] Staatsanzeiger. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.staatsanzeiger.de/
[3] BioNTech to buy CureVac in $1.25 billion deal. (2025, June 1). Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/biontech-to-buy-curevac-in-1-25-billion-deal-2025-06-01/
[4] BioNTech-CureVac Merger: What It Means for the Future of mRNA Technology. (2025, June 2). Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesdaniel/2025/06/02/biontech-curevac-merger-what-it-means-for-the-future-of-mrna-technology/?sh=58b4c4d34e6d
The merger between BioNTech and CureVac, a significant move for the European mRNA industry, will essentially unite two rivals with ongoing patent disputes, with the acquisition resolving these legal battles. This alliance is anticipated to enhance BioNTech's research capabilities and manufacturing capacity in the realm of mRNA technology, thereby accelerating their development of next-generation mRNA cancer immunotherapies.
With the merger, BioNTech, a major player in mRNA technology, will join forces with CureVac, currently focusing on cancer therapies after less successful COVID-19 vaccine development. This collaboration may drive innovation and competitiveness on a global level, particularly as BioNTech furthers its aim to expand beyond its COVID-19 vaccine success.
