Agilent Technologies (A) and Danaher (DHR) screen as potential buyers of Qiagen (QGEN) after a report that the European molecular testing firm is weighing its options after takeover interest.
“QGEN would strategically fit into either DHR’s or A’s portfolio,” JPMorgan analyst Casey Woodring wrote in a note on Tuesday.
Thermo Fisher (TMO) is unlikely to reconsider revisiting its initial bid, according to Woodring. In August 2020, Thermo Fisher (TMO) walked away from a €43 per share offer for diagnostic test maker Qiagen (QGEN). Thermo Fisher first announced a €39/share offer for QGEN in March 2020, then upped its bid after institutional investors rebelled over the price.
Qiagen (QGEN) has held discussions with several possible bidders in recent weeks, including some US strategic buyers, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
Shares of Qiagen jumped 19% on news of the takeover interest.