Bayer Acquires UK Biotech KaNDy Therapeutics Ltd.

Merck KGaA to Acquire Bio-Techne for $11.3 Billion

June 25, 2026

Healthcare Services

Merck KGaA has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Bio-Techne for $73 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at about $11.3 billion (enterprise value). The deal is expected to close in late 2026 or early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and Bio-Techne shareholder approval.

UCB To Acquire Candid Therapeutics for Up to $2.2 Billion

May 3, 2026

Biotechnology

UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Candid Therapeutics for up to $2.2 billion. The deal includes $2.0 billion in upfront payments and up to $200 million in potential milestone payments, and is expected to close by the end of Q2 or early Q3 2026, subject to antitrust clearance and customary conditions.

Merck Acquires Caraway Therapeutics

November 21, 2023

Biotechnology

Merck (MSD) will acquire Caraway Therapeutics, a Cambridge, Massachusetts–based preclinical biopharmaceutical company, for up to $610 million in potential consideration, including an undisclosed upfront payment and contingent milestone payments. The acquisition is intended to strengthen Merck’s research pipeline and capabilities in developing small-molecule treatments for genetically defined neurodegenerative and rare diseases.

Kyowa Kirin Acquires Orchard Therapeutics

October 5, 2023

Biotechnology

Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. agreed to acquire Orchard Therapeutics plc for $16.00 per ADS in cash plus a $1.00 contingent value right (CVR), representing a potential total equity value of approximately $477.6 million. The acquisition gives Kyowa Kirin a leading HSC gene therapy platform and commercial asset Libmeldy, accelerating development and commercialization of Orchard's rare-disease gene therapies.

Bayer AG Acquires Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio)

October 26, 2020

Biotechnology

Bayer AG agreed to acquire U.S.-headquartered Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio), adding AskBio's AAV-based gene therapy platform, IP and CDMO manufacturing capabilities to Bayer’s emerging cell and gene therapy unit. Bayer will pay $2.0 billion upfront plus up to $2.0 billion in potential milestone payments; existing minority shareholders TPG Capital and Vida Ventures supported the transaction.

Venn Life Sciences Acquires Kinesis Pharma

September 22, 2015

Healthcare Services

Dublin-based clinical research group Venn Life Sciences will acquire Netherlands-based Kinesis Pharma for an initial consideration of €3.6 million, with up to €6.5 million payable including performance-related earnouts. The acquisition expands Venn’s early-stage drug development consultancy capabilities (Kinesis has ~60 employees and a presence in Singapore) and is intended to drive cross-selling of downstream services.