Qiagen Agrees to EUR10.8 Billion Takeover Offer from Swedish Private Equity Group EQT

05:22 AM EDT, 10/22/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Qiagen's (QIA.F) Frankfurt stock rose more than 5% in early morning trading on Thursday after the company agreed to a 10.8 billion-euro takeover offer from Swedish private equity group EQT (EQT.ST). Crown NL Bidco is offering 46.50 euros in cash per Qiagen share, the molecular testing company said Thursday. The buyer is controlled by EQT XI fund, with "indirect participations" by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority's Luxinva subsidiary and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board's CPP Investment Board Europe unit. Qiagen said both its supervisory and managing boards issued support for the deal following a comprehensive review of the company's strategic prospects. Directors of the company said the proposal will provide the most conducive environment for the next phase of its growth, with the deal including commitments of support from the offeror for its business, key brands, operational footprint, research and development activities and employee arrangements, among others. "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," Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Pratt said. Completion of the transaction is expected in mid-2027, subject to the approval of shareholders and the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, among other closing conditions. EQT shares declined nearly 1% in early morning trading in Stockholm after the deal announcement.