Ferring to buy Austin biotech Gameto in deal worth up to $1.38 billion
Photo: CarInsurance101Swiss pharmaceutical group Ferring has agreed to acquire Gameto, a women's health biotech described by Austin's Silicon Hills News as Austin-based, in a deal worth up to $1.3825 billion — one of the largest women's health transactions announced this year.
The companies announced the signed agreement on October 27. The headline value depends on development, regulatory and commercial milestones; the upfront payment was not disclosed, and completion remains subject to closing conditions. Until closing, the two companies will continue to operate independently.
The prize is Gameto's Fertilo platform, an in vitro maturation technology that uses stem-cell-derived ovarian support cells to help immature eggs mature in the laboratory. Conventional IVF typically requires about two weeks of hormone injections before egg retrieval; Fertilo is designed to allow collection after one to three days of stimulation, potentially reducing side effects and clinic visits. The technology is in phase 3 testing in the U.S. and has not been approved by the FDA.
Ferring, which has sold fertility medicines for more than 50 years — including Menopur — said the deal pairs Gameto's reproductive-health innovation with its global presence in reproductive medicine. Gameto is also developing a lab model for testing drugs on the female reproductive system and a cell therapy aimed at menopause symptoms.
Sources: Ferring Pharmaceuticals (Oct 27, 2026); Silicon Hills News (Oct 27, 2026); pharmaphorum (Oct 27, 2026).
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