Bio-Techne's $73-a-share Merck buyout clears shareholder vote and antitrust review
Shareholders approve Merck KGaA buyout On September 23, 2026, Bio-Techne shareholders voted to approve the $73-per-share cash buyout by Merck KGaA. This locks in the deal price and moves the company closer to closing, so the stock should trade near $73 rather than on its own business results.
This is the latest and most important step in the buyout that now defines TECH's price.
Antitrust waiting period expires The U.S. antitrust waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act expired on September 18, 2026. That removes a major regulatory hurdle, making it more likely the deal closes on schedule and reducing the risk that the $73 price falls through.
It is a new, concrete regulatory clearance that directly supports deal completion.
Merck KGaA confirms deal on track Merck KGaA raised its 2026 outlook on August 6 and said it still expects to close the Bio-Techne purchase by late 2026 or early 2027, with about 140 million euros in annual cost savings. A healthy buyer with a firm timeline makes the $73 payout more certain.
It shows the acquirer is financially strong and committed, which supports the deal price.
Weak quarterly sales and legal probe Bio-Techne's revenue fell 1.5% to $311.4 million, missing estimates, and a law firm is investigating whether the board handled the buyout fairly. These are minor now because the $73 cash deal caps the stock, but they could matter if the deal breaks.
It gives the fair counterweight: the company's own results are soft and the deal faces a legal review.