Qiagen negotiating purchase of Ipsogen

Qiagen has announced its plans to pursue a deal to acquire Ipsogen, a France-based company with a major stake in the global oncology molecular diagnostics market.

The life science firm has made an offer and begun negotiations to buy a 47 percent stake in the targeted business, with a public offer for a complete takeover of Ipsogen set to follow.

Ipsogen, which specialises in molecular profiling and personalised diagnostics for haematological cancers, has been identified as an attractive target due to its global market leadership, solid financial credentials and range of products.

In particular, it has been noted that almost all of Ipsogen's assays have received CE-IVD Marking in Europe and are already fully compatible with Qiagen's Rotor-Gene Q real-time PCR system.

Peer Schatz, chief executive officer of Qiagen, said: "The acquisition of Ipsogen would further expand our global leadership in molecular assays for profiling and personalised healthcare."

This comes after the company agreed a deal earlier this year to purchase Cellestis, a profitable diagnostics company based in Australia.