EQT enters advanced talks to buy Qiagen: Qiagen stock gains 1.42 percent

Published on 10/21/2026 at 10:25 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Reuters reported an offer above USD 50 per share on October 20, 2026. Qiagen stock costs EUR 43.44 on October 21, 2026 versus EUR 42.83 at the Xetra close.

Takeover premium and operating base

Reuters reported an EQT offer above USD 50 per share on October 20, 2026.
Qiagen posted USD 535.04 million in second-quarter 2026 revenue against USD 527.50 million consensus.
Qiagen stock trades at EUR 43.44 at 10:16 a.m. CEST at Lang & Schwarz on October 21, 2026, 1.42 percent above the Xetra close of October 20, 2026.

Pipette tropft klare Flüssigkeit in sterile 96-Well-Platte, klinisches Laborlicht — Qiagen N.V. (NL0012169213) Pipette tropft klare Flüssigkeit in sterile 96-Well-Platte im klinischen Labor, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Qiagen (NL0015002SN0) stock trades at EUR 43.44 at Lang & Schwarz on October 21, 2026, 1.42 percent above the Xetra close of October 20, 2026 at EUR 42.83. The move follows a report that EQT is in advanced talks to acquire the molecular testing company. According to Reuters on October 20, 2026, EQT submitted a binding offer above USD 50 per share, while KKR also made a bid.

Three events shaped the story

On August 5, 2026, Qiagen reported USD 535.04 million in second-quarter revenue, compared with USD 527.50 million consensus, according to MarketBeat. On September 1, 2026, Jonathan M. Pratt became chief executive, according to ApoApenews. On October 20, 2026, Reuters reported the EQT offer above USD 50 per share and the competing KKR bid.

What does the offer imply?

The reported offer puts a concrete figure beside the takeover speculation. Reuters valued Qiagen's market capitalization at EUR 8.57 billion and said the board was meeting during the week of October 20, 2026, to consider the potential deal. The report also said the discussions could end without a sale, so the offer remains a reported proposal rather than a completed transaction.

Results provide an operating base

Qiagen's second-quarter revenue of USD 535.04 million exceeded the USD 527.50 million consensus by USD 7.54 million, while adjusted earnings per share reached USD 0.62 against USD 0.60 expected, according to MarketBeat on September 25, 2026. That operating backdrop gives the takeover discussion a measurable reference point beyond the reported bid. Qiagen develops molecular testing, sample-preparation and bioinformatics technologies for research and clinical laboratories.

Stock trades above the Xetra close

The euro quotation stood at EUR 43.44 at Lang & Schwarz on October 21, 2026 at 10:16 a.m. CEST, up 1.42 percent against the Xetra close of October 20, 2026 at EUR 42.83. Qiagen is listed on the NYSE under QGEN and on Frankfurt Prime Standard under QIA, according to the company information cited in a Business Wire release. The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of Qiagen stock.