Qiagen and the EQT XI fund have announced an agreement under which Crown NL Bidco B.V., a holding company indirectly controlled by EQT XI, will launch an all-cash voluntary public takeover offer for all outstanding Qiagen shares. The bidder’s structure also includes indirect participation from co-investors Luxinva S.A (a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority) and CPP Investment Board Europe Inc (a subsidiary of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board). EQT Private Equity itself is managed by affiliates of EQT AB, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.
The offer represents a 40.3% premium to the XETRA closing price of $37.21 recorded on 8 July 2026, the final trading day before market reports surfaced regarding private equity interest in the company. The premium rises to 46.9% when measured against the three-month volume-weighted average price of $35.53 up to that same date. In total, the transaction values Qiagen at approximately $12.1 billion at current exchange rates, including around $1.1 billion of net debt.
“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,” Jonathan Pratt, CEO of Qiagen, said in a statement. “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 boards concluded unanimously that moving to private ownership under EQT offers the best foundation for the firm’s next phase of growth, combining greater operational flexibility with certain and attractive value for shareholders.
EQT Private Equity has committed to supporting Qiagen’s long-term strategy as part of the deal. This includes its brands, operational footprint, research and development activities, employee arrangements, financing approach, and culture. Qiagen will continue to operate under its current name and brand following completion of the deal and will remain an independent company under existing management until the takeover offer closes.
If shareholder approval for the post-closing measures reaches at least 80% of votes cast, the Qiagen Boards will proceed with implementation. However – they retain discretion to proceed if they determine it serves the best interests of the company and its stakeholders – provided there is support from a substantial majority of the shareholder base.
Closing of the takeover offer is currently expected in mid-2027.
In March 2020, Thermo Fisher Scientific announced it was set to acquire Qiagen for $11.5 billion but the deal lapsed in August 2020.