New York, January 20, 2026, 12:33 EST — Regular session
- Qiagen shares jumped following reports it’s exploring “strategic options,” possibly including a sale
- Bloomberg reported the diagnostics firm has brought on advisers and is receiving fresh takeover bids
- The company will report its fourth-quarter results on Feb. 4, followed by a conference call on Feb. 5
Qiagen’s shares in the U.S. surged 15.9% to $55.13 on Tuesday after reports surfaced that the molecular diagnostics firm is exploring strategic options, including a potential sale, amid renewed takeover interest. The term often signals major moves like a sale; Qiagen has yet to comment. 1
This report is significant since Qiagen has been at the center of takeover rumors before, and investors usually react quickly when the board explores options. If a credible process kicks off, focus could shift from quarterly results to potential bid prices — and the timeline for any deal.
Timing matters. Qiagen said Monday it will report fourth-quarter 2025 results on Feb. 4, just after 4:05 p.m. New York time, then follow up with a conference call on Feb. 5. Investors looking ahead will likely push for clearer details on the company’s strategy, guidance, and leadership moves. 2
Bloomberg News reports Qiagen is consulting advisers while its supervisory board — the company’s highest oversight group — handles initial interest from potential buyers, including U.S. strategic firms. Talks remain preliminary and might not lead to a deal.
Qiagen announced in November that CEO Thierry Bernard will resign after a successor is named. The company confirmed he’ll stay on until the transition is complete to maintain stability.
Thermo Fisher Scientific tried to acquire Qiagen in 2020, but the deal fell through when it failed to hit the minimum acceptance threshold for its tender offer, according to a Reuters report. 3
Tuesday’s jump was notable, even for a stock stirred by deal chatter. It started the day at $46.74, surged to an intraday peak of $56.32, and saw nearly 7 million shares change hands by midday, market data showed.
Traders are on alert for any official statements from the company and updates that might reveal new bidders. They’ll also be scanning for clues if the board is managing a formal process or just fielding meetings as interest heats up again.
Talk often fizzles as quickly as it sparks. Qiagen has faced bids in the past that never materialized, and any deal would bring the usual hurdles — price, financing, regulatory scrutiny, plus the possibility the board favors staying independent.
Next on the docket: the Feb. 4 earnings release and the Feb. 5 call. Investors will zero in on any updated guidance and hints on strategy — and, more and more, whether the company even acknowledges the fresh deal rumors.
