Qiagen posts Q3 2026 results, suspends outlook ahead of EQT buyout
Sample technologies and genomics drove sales growth, but Qiagen withheld 2026 guidance because of the pending EQT Private Equity acquisition.
Qiagen reported third-quarter 2026 net sales of $548 million, up 3% from Q3 2025 and 3% at constant exchange rates, exceeding the company's outlook for about 1-2% CER growth.1 Adjusted operating income rose 6% to $167 million, with the adjusted operating margin reaching 30.4% of sales, up 0.8 percentage points from 29.6% a year earlier, helped by sales growth, a richer mix of higher-margin consumables, and efficiency gains that offset continued investment in Parse Biosciences following its late-2025 acquisition.1
Sample technologies was the strongest product group, with sales climbing 10% CER to $187 million; the company said growth was supported by automated consumables kits plus single-cell kits and services from Parse Biosciences, with sales excluding Parse up 3% CER.1 In its instrument lineup, Qiagen said the September launch of its "QIAmini" system completed a 2026 rollout of three new sample preparation platforms, alongside QIAsprint Connect and QIAsymphony Connect.1 Parse remains on track to exceed its 2026 sales target of approximately $40 million, the company said.1
Elsewhere, Qiagen said it completed its U.S. QIAstat-Dx bloodstream infection testing portfolio after receiving FDA clearances for two complementary panels, which together cover 33 pathogen targets and 28 antimicrobial resistance markers and return results from positive blood cultures in about one hour.1
On the balance sheet, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $0.8 billion as of September 30, 2026, down from $1.1 billion at the end of 2025.1 The company's leverage ratio rose to 1.0x net debt to adjusted EBITDA at the end of the third quarter from 0.7x at year-end 2025.1
As announced on October 21, 2026, Qiagen and the EQT XI fund (EQT Private Equity) agreed that Crown NL Bidco B.V. will launch an all-cash tender offer for all outstanding Qiagen shares at €46.50 per share, with closing expected in mid-2027.1 Because of the pending deal, Qiagen said it has suspended its 2026 financial outlook and will not hold a conference call to discuss the quarterly results.1
Written by readthrough’s AI from the linked primary sources and fact-checked against them automatically before publishing. Not investment advice.