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Qiagen Explores Possible Sale After New Buyer Talks: Report

German life sciences tools company Qiagen N.V. (NYSE:QGEN) is reportedly reviewing strategic options, including a potential sale, as renewed takeover interest emerges.

The European molecular diagnostics company has engaged advisers while its supervisory board evaluates early-stage approaches from potential suitors, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, signaling a possible shift after several failed attempts to strike a deal in recent years.

Citing people with knowledge of the discussions, the report highlighted that Qiagen has recently held talks with multiple interested parties, including some U.S.-based strategic buyers. The conversations are described as preliminary, and there is no certainty that they will culminate in a transaction.

The company disclosed in November 2025 that CEO Thierry Bernard will step down once a successor is appointed. Bloomberg reported that his exit removes what had been viewed as a key obstacle to a possible deal, potentially making Qiagen more attractive to buyers.

Qiagen's Prior Potential Deals

Qiagen has drawn acquisition interest repeatedly over the past several years, but none of those efforts ultimately resulted in a sale.

Qiagen attracted attention from suitors after former CEO Peer Schatz announced in October 2019 that he would leave the role.

That period led to a high-profile approach from Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO), which agreed in 2020 to pursue a takeover valued at roughly $12 billion. The deal ultimately collapsed after opposition from an activist investor prevented Thermo Fisher from securing enough shareholder support to complete the tender offer.

Qiagen's strategic review did not end there. In 2021, the company explored a possible combination with French diagnostics competitor BioMérieux, the Bloomberg report added.

That potential transaction, which would have brought together two major European diagnostics providers, also failed to materialize.

In 2022, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. (NYSE:BIO) was reportedly in talks to merge with Qiagen.

Latest Financial Update

Qiagen reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of 61 cents, beating the consensus of 59 cents, with sales of $533 million above the consensus of $525.93 million.

The company raised its fiscal adjusted earnings per share guidance from $2.35 to $2.38 compared to the consensus of $2.37. It affirmed its sales guidance of $2.057 billion-$2.077 billion compared to the consensus of $2.082 billion.

Qiagen expects fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of 60 cents versus the consensus of 61 cents per share.

In November 2025, Qiagen agreed to acquire Parse Biosciences, a provider of scalable, instrument-free solutions for single-cell research, for an upfront payment of approximately $225 million and additional potential milestone payments.

QGEN Price Action: Qiagen shares were down 4.09% at $53.18 during premarket trading on Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro data. On Tuesday, the stock closed 16.57% higher at $55.45. 

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