Bio-Techne Shareholders Approve Merck KGaA Takeover, Reject Executive Pay Package

Bio-Techne Corporation shareholders have given their approval for the company's acquisition by Merck KGaA, paving the way for a deal valued at around $11.3 billion including debt.

The German group is offering $73 per share in cash, which is slightly below the current market price of $72.57. The deal still requires regulatory clearance from outside the United States, but with the antitrust waiting period already expired, it's expected to close in late 2026 or early 2027.

The shareholder vote also revealed some discontent among investors regarding executive compensation, as they rejected a proposed pay package attached to the deal. While this vote is advisory and doesn't affect the payments, it serves as a signal that owners felt the split between what they receive and what executives receive was unfair.