Novonesis has completed its acquisition of Australian biotechnology company MicroBioGen, strengthening its expertise in yeast strains, industrial applications and bioethanol.

 

The transaction closed after receiving all required regulatory approvals. Novonesis, which first invested in MicroBioGen in 2013, already held a 23% stake in the company.

 

The acquisition brings MicroBioGen’s yeast-breeding capabilities fully into Novonesis, complementing the company’s expertise in microbiology and industrial fermentation. Novonesis said the combined capabilities could accelerate the development of biosolutions for customers across multiple industries.

 

“With this acquisition, we strengthen our yeast and R&D expertise and take another step toward delivering on our 2030 strategy. We are pleased to welcome our new colleagues to Novonesis and bring these capabilities into our company, where we can unlock its broader potential. The acquisition reflects our disciplined approach to investing for growth,” says Ester Baiget, CEO of Novonesis.

 

The deal marks the latest stage of a collaboration between the two companies that has lasted more than a decade. Novonesis said MicroBioGen’s technology could create opportunities beyond bioethanol, including applications across other industries served by the company.

 

“MicroBioGen has been a highly valued partner for more than a decade, and today marks the next step in that journey. By bringing together our complementary expertise and technologies, we can further strengthen our yeast capabilities and continue developing the biosolutions our customers need. 

 

"We see potential for applications not only in bioethanol but also across other industries we serve, as is the case with many of our technologies,” says Claus Crone Fuglsang, Chief Scientific Officer at Novonesis.

 

Novonesis said it will continue supporting MicroBioGen’s existing partners and maintain continuity across its ongoing collaborations.