Oct 21 (Reuters) – Molecular testing company Qiagen said on Wednesday Swedish buyout firm EQT would acquire it for about €9.6 billion ($10.78 billion).
EQT offered €46.50 ($52.22) a share for Qiagen, representing an 8.6% premium to its last close.
The buyout ends years of takeover speculation surrounding the European diagnostics firm and reflects increasing private-equity appetite in the sector, where growing demand for molecular testing has made companies attractive acquisition targets.
($1 = 0.8904 euros)
(Reporting by Ananya Palyekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Diti Pujara)
