Novonesis to acquire remaining stake in MicroBioGen to strengthen global yeast capabilities
The deal builds on Novonesis‘ original 2013 investment in MicroBioGen and its current 23% stake in the Sydney-based firm, extending a collaboration between the two companies that spans more than a decade.
DENMARK – Novonesis has signed an agreement to acquire the remaining equity in MicroBioGen, an Australian biotechnology firm specializing in high-performance yeast strains for industrial applications, particularly bioethanol production.
The deal expands on Novonesis’ initial investment made in 2013 and will see the group absorb the remaining 77% stake, building on a successful decade-long partnership that yielded advanced yeast technologies such as the Innova yeast series.
The acquisition aligns directly with Novonesis’ long-term growth ambitions and focus on expanding its research and development in biological solutions.
As a pure-play biology enterprise, Novonesis reinvests roughly 10% of its annual sales into innovation, microbiology, and industrial fermentation.
Incorporating MicroBioGen’s proprietary genetics platform and extensive intellectual property portfolio will allow Novonesis to scale its bioethanol offerings while extending tailored yeast solutions across new industrial sectors.
Chief Executive Officer of Novonesis, Ester Baiget, emphasized that the transaction represents a key operational milestone under the group’s 2030 strategy, highlighting that the addition strengthens both global yeast capabilities and R&D pipelines through disciplined capital investment.
Claus Crone Fuglsang, Chief Scientific Officer at Novonesis, echoed this sentiment, stating that integrating MicroBioGen’s technical expertise after more than ten years of co-development creates a natural fit to address evolving customer demands in industrial biotechnology.
MicroBioGen, headquartered in Sydney, Australia, has spent over two decades developing an extensive library of elite yeast genetics delivered via its “Yeast Innovation as a Service” business model.
Geoffrey Bell, CEO and Co-founder of MicroBioGen, noted that joining Novonesis provides the ideal home for the company’s workforce and technology to maximize global reach.
Under the terms of the agreement, Novonesis will maintain continuity across MicroBioGen’s existing partner networks and commercial collaborations.
While the financial terms of the agreement remain undisclosed, completion of the transaction is subject to standard regulatory approvals, including clearance by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Once finalized, the transaction will consolidate MicroBioGen’s research team and platform directly into Novonesis’ global organization.
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