Curaleaf Launches Hostile $272 Million Bid for Aurora Cannabis at US$4 Per Share

Curaleaf announced an unsolicited, hostile takeover bid for Aurora Cannabis on August 11, offering Aurora shareholders US$4 per share, comprising 0.3463 Curaleaf shares plus US$0.75 in cash for each Aurora share, valuing the deal at approximately US$272 million. Curaleaf said it went directly to Aurora shareholders after Aurora's board repeatedly refused to negotiate an acquisition. The strategic rationale is to combine the two companies' international cannabis operations and solidify Curaleaf's position as the global cannabis industry leader.

Aurora shares surged roughly 19% in pre-market trading on the news, and Aurora's board said it would review the unsolicited proposal. The bid also lifted other cannabis names, with Tilray Brands rising nearly 4% intraday, reaching an intraday high of $4.70, up approximately 25% from its 2026 low, as investors rotated into the sector on consolidation optimism.