Acquisition by Biontech: Curevac Tübingen site strengthened

According to the Baden-Württemberg State Agency for the Health Sector, Biopro , BioNTech's planned acquisition of its competitor CureVac will strengthen the Tübingen site in the long term. Managing Director Barbara Jonischkeit said in Stuttgart that from a strategic perspective, this is a logical and sensible step. "It not only strengthens BioNTech's leading role in the field of mRNA technologies, but also sustainably secures the Tübingen site."

A key objective of the transaction is to specifically expand the research, development and production of innovative mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies in Tübingen and thus strengthen highly qualified jobs and scientific excellence in the region. The takeover sends a clear signal for the sustainable promotion of Germany as a location for innovation," said Jonischkeit.

According to CureVac CEO Alexander Zehnder, the company employs around 700 people, well over 80 percent of whom work at its headquarters in Tübingen. BioNTech has studied the site in detail, the manager told the "Stuttgarter Zeitung" and the "Stuttgarter Nachrichten." The BioNTech CEO visited the site, personally inspected the facilities, and was very impressed by "what we have achieved here over the past 25 years in terms of technology—in the laboratories, production facilities, and so on." There is a commitment to Tübingen that the site, as part of the BioNTech Group, can play a truly key role in the mRNA field.

According to the state agency, the Stuttgart/Tübingen/Reutlingen region in particular has established itself as a strong biotech hub – with more than 70 biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies conducting research, development, and production. This is a testament to the innovative strength and attractiveness of the location for companies, it said.

According to the press release, a total of 277 companies operate in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors in the southwest, 194 of which are specifically focused on medical biotechnology. This high density of specialized firms makes the state an excellent location for collaboration between pharmaceutical and biotech companies. This economic potential is complemented by a first-class research landscape that creates optimal conditions for collaborations between academia, start-ups, and established companies.

The Mainz-based pharmaceutical company BioNTech plans to acquire its Tübingen-based rival CureVac. BioNTech announced on Thursday that it intends to acquire all of CureVac's shares. The transaction will be worth billions. It is already the second multi-billion dollar deal announced by BioNTech within a short period of time.

BioNTech and CureVac participated in the race to develop a coronavirus vaccine in 2020. BioNTech was successful, CureVac was not. The Tübingen site will be retained.