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- Qiagen (NYSE:QGEN) has added ~2.8% in the pre-market amid reports that the company has attracted the buyout interest of French diagnostics company bioMérieux.
- While the two companies are exploring the merits of a merger, the talks are at an early stage and there is no certainty they will result in a transaction, Bloomberg reported citing people with the knowledge of the matter.
- A potential tie-up will join two of Europe’s biggest providers of diagnostic solutions.
- Last year, Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO) had offered €10.4B, including assumed debt to acquire the Dutch molecular-testing firm, but eventually the deal fell apart, and the Chairman of Qiagen (QGEN) resigned from the position a week later.
- As recently as last week, QIAGEN (QGEN) gained in the pre-market amid rumors over a fresh takeover interest for the company.