BioNTech to Acquire CureVac in $1.25B Deal to Advance mRNA Cancer Therapies

In a move to reportedly consolidate and expand its capabilities in messenger RNA (mRNA)-based medicine, BioNTech has announced plans to acquire CureVac through an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $1.25 billion (1). The acquisition aims to accelerate the development and manufacturing of next-generation mRNA immunotherapies for oncology and infectious diseases by combining the strengths of the two German-based biotechnology companies.

Strategic fit to strengthen BioNTech’s oncology pipeline

This acquisition forms a cornerstone of BioNTech’s long-term oncology strategy. The company intends to integrate CureVac’s proprietary mRNA platforms and advanced research infrastructure, particularly its R&D and manufacturing facilities in Tübingen, Germany, to complement existing efforts across BioNTech’s immunotherapy programs (1).

“This transaction is another building block in BioNTech’s oncology strategy and an investment in the future of cancer medicine,” said Ugur Sahin, MD, CEO and co-founder of BioNTech (1). “We intend to bring together complementary capabilities and leverage technologies with the goal of advancing the development of innovative and transformative cancer treatments and establishing new standards of care for various types of cancer in the coming years.”

CureVac’s scientific expertise and its progress in mRNA design and lipid nanoparticle delivery systems are expected to support BioNTech’s pan-tumor immunotherapy candidates, including its lead PD-L1xVEGF-A bispecific antibody, BNT327 (1,2).

“To me, this transaction is more than a business decision, it represents a shared commitment to leverage the full potential of mRNA as a disruptive technology to develop transformative therapies with greater scale and speed,” said Alexander Zehnder, MD, CEO of CureVac (1). “For more than two decades, both companies have operated with related ambitions, often tackling challenges from different angles. This transaction aims at combining complementary scientific capabilities, proprietary technologies, and manufacturing expertise in the mRNA field under one roof.”

Expanding the mRNA platform in oncology and infectious disease

BioNTech’s acquisition of CureVac reflects a broader ambition to dominate the mRNA therapeutic landscape beyond COVID-19 (1). While BioNTech is best known for co-developing the first approved mRNA vaccine with Pfizer, the company continues to invest heavily in mRNA research targeting various solid tumors and infectious diseases.

CureVac adds to this effort with an R&D pipeline that includes off-the-shelf and personalized mRNA cancer vaccines, and prophylactic vaccine candidates (1). Its technology platforms are built to enhance immunogenicity while maintaining low-dose efficiency—a key factor for scalability and safety. By combining assets, both companies aim to streamline mRNA drug development pipelines and manufacturing workflows, potentially reducing timelines for delivering clinical-stage therapies to patients. The integrated platform will be positioned to support mRNA applications from discovery to commercialization.

Moving and shaking

The deal, approved unanimously by the boards of both companies, is expected to close in 2025, pending customary regulatory clearances and a minimum 80% share acceptance rate from CureVac shareholders—although BioNTech retains the option to reduce this threshold to 75% (1).

This news comes just 10 days after BioNTech announced a global co-development and co-commercialization agreement valued at up to $11.1 billion for BNT327 (2). Under that deal, BMS will provide BioNTech with an upfront payment of $1.5 billion and an additional $2 billion in non-contingent anniversary payments through 2028. BioNTech is also eligible to receive up to $7.6 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestones.

References

CureVac. BioNTech Announces Strategic Transaction to Acquire CureVac in Public Exchange Offer. Press Release. June 12, 2025.

Cole, C. BioNTech to Receive Up to $11.1 Billion in Deal with BMS to Develop Immuno-Oncology Agent. BioPharmInternational.com, June 2, 2025.