Repligen acquires BioLife Solutions in $1.5 billion deal to expand cell therapy business

Repligen will acquire BioLife Solutions for approximately $1.5 billion in a cash-and-stock deal to expand its cell therapy business. The offer values BioLife at $31 per share, a 6.2% premium. The deal gives Repligen access to BioLife's cell preservation technology, used in ~90% of approved cell therapies, and is expected to generate at least $20 million in first-year savings amid a recovery in the bioprocessing sector.

Repligen-BioLife acquisition terms

• ▪BioLife Solutions shareholders will receive $11.25 in cash and 0.1442 Repligen shares for each of their shares.
• ▪The offer values BioLife Solutions at $31 per share, representing a premium of about 6.2% to its last closing price.
• ▪The boards of both Repligen and BioLife Solutions have unanimously approved the deal, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026.
• ▪Repligen Corp will acquire BioLife Solutions in a cash-and-stock deal valued at approximately $1.5 billion.

Cell therapy market expansion

• ▪The acquisition is intended to expand Repligen's presence in the fast-growing cell therapy market.
• ▪BioLife Solutions' products are used in approximately 90% of commercially approved cell therapies.
• ▪The deal gives Repligen access to BioLife's cell preservation technology, cell-processing tools, and high-margin consumables business.

Bioprocessing industry recovery

• ▪The deal follows a recent $11.3 billion acquisition of Bio-Techne by Merck KGaA, underscoring growing interest in drug development tool companies.
• ▪The acquisition comes amid a signaled recovery in demand for bioprocessing products as biotech and pharmaceutical companies increase spending.

Deal financial impact

• ▪Shares of BioLife Solutions rose about 3% in premarket trading following the announcement.
• ▪The acquisition is expected to increase Repligen's earnings and generate at least $20 million in cost savings in the first year.

BioLife strategic refocus

• ▪The sale of its logistics unit allowed BioLife to focus more on products related to cell and gene therapy.
• ▪In October 2025, BioLife Solutions sold its evo cold-chain logistics unit for $25.5 million.

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