Thermo Fisher takes out Qiagen for $11.5B

After vowing late last year to remain independent, Qiagen has reversed course and agreed to be acquired by Thermo Fisher in an $11.5 billion cash deal. The deal value surpasses the 36-year-old Dutch molecular diagnostics company’s all-time peak valuation of $9.8 billion, reached on Dec. 2 after takeout rumors had driven its share price up to $43.10.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) is acquiring Qiagen N.V. (NYSE:QGEN; Xetra:QIA) for €39 ($43.33) per share, which is a 21% premium over Qiagen’s Monday close of €32.25, before the deal was announced, and a 34% premium over its close on Nov. 12, before a report said Thermo Fisher was considering a takeout. The deal value includes the assumption of about $1.4 billion of net debt. ...