Jefferies cuts CureVac stock rating to hold on BioNTech acquisition

Published 13/06/2025, 10:06
Jefferies cuts CureVac stock rating to hold on BioNTech acquisition

Jefferies downgraded CureVac (NASDAQ:CVAC) from buy to hold on Friday, lowering its price target to $5.00 from $7.00 following BioNTech (NASDAQ:BNTX)’s acquisition announcement. The stock, currently trading at $5.60, has surged nearly 27% in the past week, with InvestingPro data showing it’s now trading near its 52-week high of $5.72.

The all-stock acquisition values CureVac at approximately $1.25 billion and aims to create synergies in technology platforms, oncology-based pipeline development, and intellectual property, according to Jefferies. InvestingPro analysis reveals the company maintains excellent financial health with an impressive 87.62% gross profit margin, suggesting strong operational efficiency heading into the merger.

Management teams and supervisory boards from both companies have approved the deal, which has already secured support from approximately 50% of CureVac shareholders toward the 80% minimum requirement for completion.

The transaction has received regulatory clearance from both U.S. and German authorities, positioning it for completion within the next two to three months.

CureVac expects the deal to close ahead of a scheduled U.S. patent trial, with the acquisition process moving forward following organic discussions between the two companies.

In other recent news, BioNTech has announced its plan to acquire CureVac in an all-stock deal valued at approximately $1.25 billion. This strategic move is expected to bolster BioNTech’s capabilities in mRNA-based cancer immunotherapy, with CureVac shareholders anticipated to own between 4% and 6% of BioNTech post-acquisition. Meanwhile, CureVac has received a favorable ruling from the European Patent Office, which upheld the company’s amended patent, EP 3 708 668 B1, amidst ongoing legal disputes with BioNTech. This decision is a significant milestone in their intellectual property litigation, with further proceedings scheduled to assess potential infringements. Additionally, CureVac has received clearance from the U.S. FDA for its investigational lung cancer therapy, CVHNLC, marking a step forward in its clinical trials. JMP Securities maintains a positive outlook on CureVac, reaffirming a $10 price target and highlighting the company’s glioblastoma vaccine progress. CureVac’s financial stability is underscored by a cash reserve of €438 million, projected to sustain operations until 2028. These developments reflect CureVac’s ongoing advancements in mRNA technology and its commitment to expanding its therapeutic portfolio.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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