EQT Agrees to Acquire Qiagen in $10.8 Billion Deal
A proposed €9.6 billion ($10.8 billion) acquisition will see Swedish private equity firm EQT take over Dutch molecular diagnostics company Qiagen.
BUSINESSES RESHAPING OUR WORLD
Global N Press
10/22/20262 min read
AMSTERDAM, October 21, 2026 — Swedish private equity firm EQT has agreed to acquire Dutch molecular diagnostics company Qiagen in a transaction valued at approximately €9.6 billion ($10.8 billion), according to Reuters. The proposed cash offer of €46.50 per share represents an 8.6% premium to Qiagen’s previous closing price. Including approximately $1.1 billion in net debt, the transaction’s enterprise value is estimated at $12.1 billion. The deal, backed by institutional investors, is expected to close in mid-2027, subject to shareholder acceptance, regulatory clearances and other conditions.
A Major Deal in Molecular Diagnostics
Qiagen provides technologies and services used by research institutions and clinical laboratories to analyze genetic material. Its business includes molecular diagnostics, sample preparation and laboratory solutions for applications ranging from disease detection to biomedical research and biotechnology development.
The acquisition would transfer ownership of the life sciences technology company to EQT and its investment partners. The deal reflects private equity interest in the diagnostics sector, where demand for molecular testing technologies has made established companies potential acquisition targets.
Offer Terms and Investor Support
The proposed all-cash offer of €46.50 per share values Qiagen’s equity at approximately €9.6 billion. Including net debt, the transaction’s enterprise value is estimated at approximately $12.1 billion.
Qiagen’s supervisory board and management board have approved the agreement and support the transaction. Affiliates of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board are participating as co-investors alongside EQT.
The offer remains subject to a minimum acceptance threshold of more than 50% of Qiagen’s outstanding share capital, as well as regulatory clearances and other conditions. Completion is currently expected in mid-2027.
Previous Takeover Attempt
Qiagen has faced a major takeover attempt before. In 2020, the company agreed to be acquired by U.S. life sciences group Thermo Fisher Scientific, but the deal was abandoned after it failed to secure sufficient shareholder support.
The agreement with EQT marks another attempt to change Qiagen’s ownership, this time through a private equity-led transaction backed by institutional investors.
Outlook Under Private Ownership
If completed, the acquisition would take Qiagen off public markets and place it under private ownership. The new structure could give EQT and its investment partners greater flexibility in decisions on capital allocation, research investment and business development. However, the transaction’s long-term impact will depend on how the company is managed and how effectively it competes in its markets.
Qiagen’s performance will continue to depend on demand for its diagnostic technologies, its ability to develop new products and its relationships with clinical laboratories and research institutions.
The proposed acquisition highlights the role of private equity in the life sciences sector, where established technology providers can attract investors seeking long-term opportunities in healthcare and biotechnology. The outcome will become clearer once the transaction is completed and the company begins operating under its new ownership structure.
