July 9 (Reuters) – Diagnostics company Qiagen is drawing early takeover interest from buyout firms, including EQT AB, Advent and KKR, with potential offers from some suitors reaching at least $50 per Qiagen share, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday.
Qiagen’s shares in Frankfurt rose at least 10% on the report and were on track for their best day since January. The Netherlands-based company has a market value of €6.87 billion ($7.85 billion), according to LSEG data.
No final decisions have been made and the discussions may not result in a deal, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter. It added that the firm could attract more buyout firms, as well as strategic players.
Last year, Qiagen announced that Thierry Bernard would step down as chief executive officer and managing director.
Bloomberg News reported in January that Qiagen was exploring strategic alternatives, including a sale, amid renewed takeover interest in the diagnostics company.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Advent and EQT were not immediately available for comment on the Bloomberg report, while Qiagen and KKR declined to comment.
($1 = 0.8750 euros)
(Reporting by Mihika Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)
