Biotechnology
Novonesis Closes MicroBioGen Acquisition After Regulatory Approvals
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Novonesis announced on October 1, 2026, that it has completed its acquisition of MicroBioGen, an Australian biotechnology company focused on yeast strains for industrial applications. The Copenhagen-based company stated in its completion announcement that all regulatory approvals have been obtained and that the transaction has closed. It described MicroBioGen as bringing advanced yeast-breeding expertise with a proven track record in bioethanol and broader potential across industries.
The acquisition builds on Novonesis’ initial investment in MicroBioGen in 2013 and its existing 23% ownership stake, extending a collaboration between the two companies that has spanned more than a decade. That partnership centered on advanced yeast solutions for bioethanol production.
“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,” said Ester Baiget, CEO of Novonesis.
Novonesis describes itself as a pure-play biology company drawing on deep expertise in microbiology and industrial fermentation. The company stated that MicroBioGen’s advanced yeast-breeding capabilities complement that scientific foundation, creating opportunities to develop new biosolutions for customers across multiple industries.
Claus Crone Fuglsang, Chief Scientific Officer at Novonesis, said MicroBioGen has been a highly valued partner for more than a decade and described the closing as 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,” he said.
From Signing to Closing
Novonesis first announced on August 10, 2026, that it had signed an agreement with the intent to acquire MicroBioGen, a transaction the company characterized as the acquisition of the remaining share of MicroBioGen. In the signing announcement, the company said completion was subject to customary regulatory approvals, including by the ACCC, which it identified as Australia’s national competition, consumer, fair trading and product safety regulator. The company also said the terms of the transaction would not be disclosed.
The August announcement stated that Novonesis combines deep scientific expertise in microbiology and industrial fermentation with approximately 10% of annual sales invested in innovation, and said the acquisition would build on that foundation by strengthening core expertise in biological solutions.
Baiget said at the signing that the acquisition marked an additional step in the company’s 2030 strategy, strengthened its yeast and R&D capabilities, and reflected its disciplined investment focus to drive growth. Fuglsang said Novonesis viewed MicroBioGen as a match built on more than a decade of close collaboration and that he looked forward to integrating its technology into Novonesis.
Geoffrey Bell, CEO and co-founder of MicroBioGen, said that joining Novonesis was a strong fit for MicroBioGen and its employees, and that after more than a decade of close collaboration he could not think of a better home for the company.
MicroBioGen’s Yeast Platform
MicroBioGen is based in Australia and focuses on improving the industrial capabilities of yeast. According to the company description in the August announcement, it holds a platform technology and a library of elite yeast genetics developed over 20 years, and it delivers what it calls Yeast Innovation as a Service to industry leaders globally.
The bioethanol partnership between the two companies included co-developing the Innova yeast series, which the announcement described as delivering exceptional industrial performance. MicroBioGen’s opportunities span existing and emerging industries, ranging from optimizing yeast for baking, sustainable feed and energy to food applications.
Novonesis said it will continue to support MicroBioGen’s existing partners and ensure continuity in its collaborations. MicroBioGen’s website now leads to an integration page stating that MicroBioGen is now part of Novonesis and directing existing customers to reach out to their usual MicroBioGen contact. The page also invites those interested in learning more about the company’s yeast solutions to fill out a contact form.
