Qiagen Agrees to Go Private Through EQT-Led Acquisition
Posted on 24 Oct 2026
QIAGEN N.V. (Venlo, the Netherlands) and EQT Private Equity (Stockholm, Sweden) have agreed to an all-cash public takeover offer for all outstanding QIAGEN shares at EUR 46.50 per share. The proposed transaction values QIAGEN at approximately EUR 10.8 billion (USD 12.1 billion), including USD 1.1 billion in net debt, and is expected to close in mid-2027, subject to shareholder acceptance and regulatory approvals.
Under the agreement, Crown NL Bidco B.V., a holding company controlled by EQT XI, will make the voluntary public takeover offer. The transaction includes investments from subsidiaries of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments). The offer represents a 40.3% premium to QIAGEN’s unaffected closing share price of EUR 33.15 on July 8, 2026, before reports of potential takeover interest emerged.
The acquisition follows a strategic review by QIAGEN’s Supervisory Board and Managing Board, which evaluated the company’s prospects and alternatives involving strategic and financial investors. Both boards unanimously approved the agreement, concluding that private ownership would provide greater flexibility for long-term investment. QIAGEN supplies technologies for molecular diagnostics, life sciences research, and pharmaceutical applications.
Following completion, QIAGEN will retain its name and brand, with EQT supporting its long-term strategy, research and development, operations, and employee arrangements. EQT has invested more than EUR 30 billion across over 210 healthcare companies globally, including SPT Labtech, Galderma, Parexel, Aldevron, Dako, and HemoCue.
“Since joining QIAGEN, I have seen firsthand the quality of our people, technologies and customer relationships. I also see clear opportunities to build on those strengths and do more for customers,” said Jonathan M. Pratt, Chief Executive Officer of QIAGEN. “Under private ownership, we can move faster and have greater freedom to put resources behind the most attractive opportunities that align best with our long-term strategy. That can help us grow the business in line with our priorities and create more opportunities for our people to innovate, develop their careers and help shape the future of QIAGEN.”
The offer requires acceptance by shareholders representing at least 50% of QIAGEN’s outstanding share capital plus one share, along with regulatory clearances and other approvals. EQT has secured committed financing, and the transaction is not subject to financing conditions. QIAGEN will continue operating independently until completion, after which its shares are expected to be delisted from the Frankfurt and New York stock exchanges.
