By Colin Kellaher

Shares of Precigen Inc. rose more than 20% on Friday after Germany's Merck KGaA raised its stake in the biopharmaceutical company.

Precigen said Merck, its second-largest shareholder, opted to convert a $25 million note into common stock early, boosting its stake in the Germantown, Md., company to 14.8% from 11.6%.

Precigen shares were recently up 20.6% to $5.32.

Write to Colin Kellaher at colin.kellaher@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

10-09-20 1023ET