UK Biotech Mergers & Acquisitions News
Mergers and acquisitions can reshape the ownership and operations of life sciences businesses. This category follows announced transactions involving UK biotechnology, pharmaceutical and scientific technology organisations, whether they are buyers, sellers or acquired companies.
Azenta Acquires SynPlexity and Licenses Elegen DNA Technology
Azenta has acquired SynPlexity and signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Elegen to expand the gene synthesis capabilities of its GENEWIZ business. SynPlexity adds pooled gene assembly technology for high-throughput variant libraries, while Elegen's cell-free DNA manufacturing platform is intended to support sequence-verified constructs and faster production. Azenta plans to integrate both technologies into existing GENEWIZ discovery and gene-to-antibody workflows.
Viatris Launches $36.50 per Share Tender Offer for Pacira
Viatris has commenced a cash tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Pacira BioSciences at $36.50 per share under a merger agreement signed on 8 October. Pacira’s board has recommended the offer to shareholders, but completion remains subject to tender and regulatory conditions. The offer is scheduled to expire on 16 November 2026 unless extended or terminated earlier.
SenzaGen Agrees to Acquire Newcastle-Based Alcyomics for £2.12m
SenzaGen has signed an agreement to acquire Newcastle-based Alcyomics, which provides human-based immunotoxicology testing for drug developers, for an initial £2.12 million. The transaction also includes potential earn-out payments linked to future performance and debt reduction. Completion was expected around 4 November 2026, but a completed acquisition has not been independently confirmed. Alcyomics operates the Skimune human tissue testing platform.
Astell Scientific Acquired by German Autoclave Maker SHP Steriltechnik
Astell Scientific has been acquired by SHP Steriltechnik AG, the German maker of LABOKLAV laboratory autoclaves, with terms undisclosed. Astell says customer contacts, service arrangements and existing orders are unchanged.
Ambrose Healthcare Acquires AM-Pharma for Up to €161M
Ambrose Healthcare has acquired Dutch biotech AM-Pharma for up to €161 million in upfront and commercial milestone payments plus royalties, gaining ilofotase alfa, a Phase 2-ready enzyme replacement therapy for hypophosphatasia. The deal also gives Ambrose its first European base, in Utrecht.