Qiagen

Qiagen N.V.
Naamloze vennootschap
Traded as NASDAQ: QGEN, FWB: QIA
Industry Biotechnology
Founded November 29, 1984 (1984-11-29)
Headquarters Venlo, Netherlands (corporate); Hilden (near Düsseldorf), Germany (operational)
Key people
 Peer Schatz (CEO and chairman of the executive board), Dr. Werner Brandt (Chairman of the supervisory board)
Revenue US $1.281 billion (2015)[1]
US $314.5 million (2015 adjusted)[1]
Profit US $249.5 million (2015 adjusted)[1]
Total assets US $4.189 billion (end of December 2015)[1]
Total equity US $2,562 billion (end of December 2015)[1]
Number of employees
 about 4,600 (end of December 2015)[2]
Website www.qiagen.com

Qiagen is a provider of sample and assay technologies for molecular diagnostics, applied testing, academic and pharmaceutical research. Consolidated under the Dutch holding Qiagen N.V., the company operates more than 35 offices in over 25 countries. Qiagen’s shares are listed at the technology-focused U.S. stock exchange Nasdaq (using ticker QGEN) and at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the Prime Standard (using ticker QIA). Peer M. Schatz is the company’s Chief Executive Officer. The main operative headquarters are located in Hilden, Germany (near Düsseldorf).

Products

QIAGEN is a worldwide provider of molecular sample and assay technologies. Sample technologies are used to collect samples of tissue, fluids, etc. and stabilize, extract and purify various molecules of interest such as DNA, RNA or proteins from other cellular components. Assay technologies are then used to amplify (multiply) and enrich this small amount of isolated material to make it visible, readable and ready for interpretation. The separation and purification of genetic information is a basic precondition for further application or analysis.

Qiagen provides molecular technologies offered as kits with open or specific target analytes. According to Qiagen, the company’s current portfolio covers more than 500 products and more than 2,000 patents and licenses.[3]

In 2014, Qiagen entered into a supply agreement with Trinean for the manufacture of a Qiagen-branded "micro-volume" spectrophotometer, to be sold under the name "QIAxpert".[4]

Application areas

Until the mid-2000s, the company was mainly a provider of sample technologies for the academic research market. Today, Qiagen’s product portfolio includes sample and assay technologies, specific automation solutions, and a bioinformatics analysis portfolio in the following 4 markets:

Molecular Diagnostics

Molecular diagnostics detect the nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) of target diseases or pathogens in samples such as blood or tissue. These procedures can help to detect viruses and bacteria more rapidly and with greater sensitivity and specificity than other methods such as bacterial culture or immunodiagnostics.[5] Molecular diagnostics are also used to analyze individual patient's genomic information to further classify certain diseases and to determine the most appropriate treatment. Qiagen’s portfolio in molecular diagnostics covers various applications which the company divides into three main segments:[6]

• Oncology: The company’s portfolio in oncology includes tests for a broad range of clinically relevant biomarkers, particularly in cancer, encompassing companion diagnostics that are marketed in combination with certain drugs, helping to guide treatment decisions. In addition, QIAGEN markets a range of gene panels for research applications in next-generation sequencing, covering dozens of genes associated with various cancers. Furthermore, the company offers technologies for the extraction and enrichment of molecular biomarkers from body fluids, supporting the development of liquid biopsies. Minimally invasive liquid biopsies hold promise to transform the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

• Modulation of Immune Response: Qiagen’s QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Test (QFT) is regarded worldwide as the modern standard for detection of latent tuberculosis infection. According to WHO estimates, this condition affects about one-third of the world’s population. As up to 10% of people with latent TB infection will develop the active disease in the course of their lives, the identification and treatment of at-risk groups with latent TB is important for sustainable control of this potentially life-threatening infectious disease.

• Infectious Diseases: Qiagen offers several comprehensive test panels for detection of bacterial and viral pathogens. The portfolio encompasses assays for the detection of individual pathogens such as Influenza, HIV, Hepatitis, and healthcare-associated infections. The company also has a global leadership position in screening for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer.

Applied Testing

Applied Testing is the use of molecular biology/diagnostics in practical, non-clinical applications such as veterinary medicine, forensics, food-quality monitoring and protection against biological hazards. Qiagen's portfolio includes:

• Food safety: tests for pathogens (such as salmonella, legionella and listeria), allergens, genetically modified organisms as well as food origin and quality.

• Veterinary medicine: tests for pathogens (such as bird flu, for which Qiagen was the first company to offer an approved test) as well as pandemic prevention and monitoring.

• Forensics: tests used to identify victims, prosecute criminals and determine paternity or lineage.

Academic Research

The life science research market encompasses all disciplines focusing on living organisms such as humans, animals, plants or bacteria (e.g., biochemistry, biomedicine or genetic engineering). Much of the research is done on a molecular level targeting DNA, RNA and proteins and helps scientists to comprehend basic processes in cells and organisms.

Qiagen introduced the first kit for purification of plasmids – small ring-shaped DNA molecules in bacterial cells – in 1986, cutting the preparation time for plasmids from between two and three days down to two hours. The company has a global market share exceeding 70% for certain sample preparation technologies.

Pharmaceutical Industry

Multinational pharmaceutical companies use molecular sample and assay technologies in all phases of the drug development process, from the fundamental pharmaceutical research stage, through preclinical and clinical studies, to the commercialization and application of new products.

Qiagen technologies can be used to identify genes that participate in the emergence of diseases, carry out studies on the functions and interactions between genes (or proteins) in entire biological pathways, identify and validate potential biomarkers and identify and evaluate therapeutic target molecules and suitable active agent candidates. Qiagen's products can also be used in the execution of the clinical studies.

History

1984 - Qiagen is established on November 29 by a team of scientists at the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf.

1986 - Qiagen launches its first product, a kit for purification of plasmids – small ring-shaped DNA molecules in bacterial cells – cutting the preparation time for plasmids from between two and three days down to two hours.

1996 - The initial public offering of Qiagen on the technology-oriented Nasdaq stock exchange (the first German company to do so) [7]

1997 - The initial public offering on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Germany).

2004 - Qiagen acquires key assets of Molecular Staging, Inc.

2006 - Qiagen establishes its Asia regional headquarters in Shanghai.

2007 - Sales reach US$649.8 million and the number of employees surpasses 2,600. Qiagen acquires Digene for US$1.6 billion, making Qiagen an industry leader in molecular diagnostics (by revenue) and a leader in diagnostics for disease prevention.

2009 - Qiagen begins building its Personalized Healthcare business through the acquisition of DxS Ltd (a deal valued at ~US$95 million)[8] and SABiosciences Corp. (a deal valued at ~US$9 million).[9] At the end of 2009 Qiagen surpasses the US$1 billion revenue mark and has over 3,500 employees. Qiagen becomes one of the first companies to release a clinically verified diagnostic test for the detection of H1N1, more commonly known as Swine Flu.[10]

2010 - Qiagen acquires ESE GmbH,[11] giving the company access to point of need testing devices for the application of molecular diagnostic tests without laboratory infrastructure. Qiagen launches the QIAsymphony AS® and QIAsymphony RGQ® platforms, adding to the company’s portfolio for laboratory workflow automation and molecular test full-process automation respectively.

2011 - Qiagen acquires Ipsogen S.A. for ~US$101 million,[12][13] adding to the company’s product and IP portfolio in the blood cancer space and developing its position in molecular diagnostics for oncology. Qiagen also acquires Cellestis Limited for ~US$374 million,[14] giving the company access to QuantiFERON® technology for disease detection and prevention. The company adds two new offices in the Asia Pacific region in New Delhi, India and Taipei, Taiwan. The company announces a comprehensive restructuring program to focus on high-growth areas such as personalized medicine and business in emerging markets. The program includes workforce reduction and internal restructuring affecting approximately 10% of the company’s 3,900 positions.[15]

2013 - Qiagen acquires Ingenuity Systems,[16] extending the company's product portfolio to provide analysis and interpretation of molecular data, from sample to insight. Qiagen also acquires CLC bio, which offers leading bioinformatics analysis software. This reaffirms the company's strategic decision to become a leader in next-generation bioinformatics, with a focus on biological analysis and interpretation/reporting.[17]

2015 - Qiagen acquires AdnaGen’s circulating tumor cell enrichment technology to improve its capabilities in liquid biopsies.[18] Qiagen also acquires Enzymatics enzyme solutions unit to strengthen its NGS product offering and to pursue the strategy to offer a complete NGS workflow.[19] In late 2015 the launch of the GeneReader NGS System, the first end-to-end NGS workflow solution, marks a milestone in the company’s history. The GeneReader NGS System provides laboratories with a simpler and more cost-effective way for clinical testing from primary sample to a final report.[20]

Management

As of August 2015, the company's Executive Committee consisted of the following members:[21]

Structure of the company

Qiagen has a holding structure. The holding (Qiagen N.V.) is located in Venlo, The Netherlands. The operative and European headquarters are located in Hilden (Germany). Further regional headquarters are located in Maryland (for North America) and Shanghai (for Asia).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Key Figures". QIAGEN.com. March 2015. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
  2. ↑ "Fact Sheet: QIAGEN at a Glance". March 2015.
  3. ↑ "Fact Sheet: QIAGEN at a Glance". March 2016.
  4. ↑ "Trinean, Qiagen Enter into Global Supply Agreement". News - Genomics & Proteomics. Gen. Eng. Biotechnol. News (print) 34 (4). 15 February 2014. p. 18.
  5. ↑ DiIulio, Renee (1 March 2006). "Molecular Diagnostics: Challenges and Benefits". Clinical Lab Products (United States). OCLC 60626983. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014.
  6. ↑ "Background Molecular Diagnostics". December 2015.
  7. ↑ Peter A. Brooke, Daniel Penrice (Nov 10, 2009). A Vision for Venture Capital: Realizing the Promise of Global Venture Capital and Private Equity (Winthrop Group). ISBN 1584657995.
  8. ↑ "Qiagen Acquires UK's DxS in Deal Worth up to $130M". GenomeWeb Daily News (United States: GenomeWeb). 23 September 2009. Archived from the original on 20 March 2011.
  9. ↑ Vence, Tracy (16 December 2009). "QIAGEN acquires SABiosciences". BioTechniques. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014.
  10. ↑ Chengpei, Zhu; Xiaomin, Zhang (12 September 2009). "Molecular firm Qiagen releases rapid H1N1 test". ChinaDaily. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014.
  11. ↑ "QIAGEN Acquires ESE GmbH". News & Events. Bionity (Germany: CHEMIE.DE). 14 January 2010. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014.
  12. ↑ "Qiagen Plans to Buy Cancer MDx Firm Ipsogen for $101M". 15 Jun 2011.
  13. ↑ "QIAGEN makes proposal to fully acquire Ipsogen". analytica-world.com (Germany: chemie.de). 16 June 2011. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014.
  14. ↑ "QIAGEN acquires Cellestis". Medtech News. Pharmaceutical Field (United Kingdom: Health Sector Publishing). 2011. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014.
  15. ↑ "QIAGEN (QGEN) Launches Productivity Enhancement Program; 8-10% of Workforce to Be Affected". StreetInsider.com. 28 November 2011. Archived from the original on 30 December 2011.
  16. ↑ "QIAGEN acquires Ingenuity Systems". 29 April 2013.
  17. ↑ "QIAGEN acquires CLC bio - CLC bio". CLC bio. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  18. ↑ "Qiagen Acquires Novel Circulating Tumor Cell Technology for Liquid Biopsies". GEN News. Mar 17, 2015.
  19. ↑ QIAGEN. "QIAGEN - Sample to Insight". www.qiagen.com. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  20. ↑ QIAGEN. "QIAGEN - Sample to Insight". www.qiagen.com. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  21. ↑ "Management". Qiagen. Archived from the original on 5 August 2015.
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