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July 22 (Reuters) - Repligen Corp RGEN.O said on Wednesday it would buy BioLife Solutions BLFS.O in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $1.5 billion, to expand the drugmaking equipment provider's presence in the fast-growing cell therapy market.

BioLife shareholders will receive $11.25 in cash and 0.1442 shares of Repligen for each share, valuing the cell-and-gene-therapy maker at $31 per share — a premium of about 6.2% to BioLife's last close.

The boards of both companies have unanimously approved the deal, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals.