Updates

** Shares of cell and gene therapy tools maker BioLife Solutions BLFS.O rise 6% to $31

** Shares of life sciences company Repligen RGEN.O up 2% at $139.40

** Repligen says it will buy BioLife in a deal valued at about $1.5 billion

** RGEN says the deal value comprises 64% in Repligen common stock and 36% in cash

** "The deal signals Repligen's plans to become a bigger player in the cell therapy market, with BioLife's preservation media complementing its existing cell therapy portfolio and potentially serving as a platform for further acquisitions," Jefferies analyst Matthew Stanton says

** BioLife stockholders will receive $11.25 per share in cash and 0.1442 shares of Repligen common stock, which equates to a total value of $31.00 per share — a premium of about 6.2% to BioLife's last close

** The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026

** Including session's move, BLFS up ~28% and RGEN down ~13% YTD