QIAGEN Announces Preliminary Q1 2026 Results, Meets Adjusted EPS Outlook Amid Mixed Sales Performance and Revises Full-Year 2026 Guidance
QIAGEN N.V. has released its preliminary financial results for the first quarter of 2026, highlighting a period marked by strong profitability despite uneven sales performance across its portfolio. The company reported that adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) met expectations, reflecting disciplined cost management and operational execution, even as certain business segments faced headwinds.
For the first quarter of 2026, QIAGEN generated preliminary net sales of $492 million. This represents a 2% increase on a reported basis compared to the same period in 2025, though sales declined by 1% when measured at constant exchange rates (CER). This performance fell slightly below the company’s earlier outlook, which had anticipated at least 1% CER growth. Nonetheless, adjusted diluted EPS reached $0.54 on both a reported and CER basis, aligning with guidance and underscoring the company’s ability to maintain profitability in a challenging market environment.
A closer look at QIAGEN’s business segments reveals a mixed picture. The company’s core growth pillars collectively delivered 4% CER growth compared to the first quarter of 2025, driven by strong demand in several key areas. Sample technologies emerged as a standout performer, with sales reaching $170 million, representing a 13% reported increase and 9% growth at CER. Excluding contributions from the Parse Biosciences acquisition, sample technologies still achieved 3% CER growth, supported by continued demand for automated consumables and increased placements of laboratory instruments.
Another area of strength was QIAGEN’s QIAcuity digital PCR platform, which recorded double-digit CER sales growth. This was fueled by higher demand for both consumables and instruments, reflecting the growing adoption of digital PCR technologies in research and clinical applications. Similarly, QIAGEN Digital Insights (QDI), the company’s bioinformatics division, delivered solid single-digit growth, particularly in clinical bioinformatics, as demand for data-driven insights in healthcare and life sciences continues to expand.
In contrast, some segments experienced declines. Diagnostic solutions reported sales of $185 million, down 1% on a reported basis and 4% at CER. Within this category, the QuantiFERON franchise—a key product line used for latent tuberculosis (TB) testing—saw sales decline by 5% at CER. This drop was primarily attributed to a significant reduction in immigration-related testing demand in the United States and parts of the Middle East. Despite this decline, QIAGEN noted that demand remained stable in other patient testing segments, suggesting that the downturn may be more of a temporary adjustment rather than a long-term structural issue.
The QIAstat-Dx syndromic testing platform also faced a slight decline, with sales down 1% at CER, although this was in line with expectations given strong comparative performance in the prior year. Encouragingly, consumables sales for QIAstat-Dx increased, driven by double-digit growth in newly launched gastrointestinal and meningitis panels in the United States. Instrument placements for the platform also remained steady, indicating continued interest in the technology.
Other product categories delivered mixed results. PCR and nucleic acid amplification technologies reported sales of $69 million, reflecting a 9% reported decline and a 13% drop at CER. Meanwhile, genomics and next-generation sequencing (NGS) products posted growth, with sales rising 6% on a reported basis and 4% at CER to $57 million. The “Other” category saw a notable decline, with sales down 31%, reflecting portfolio changes and discontinuations.
Looking ahead, QIAGEN has revised its full-year 2026 outlook to reflect the current market environment. The company now expects net sales growth of approximately 1–2% at CER, down from its previous forecast of at least 5% growth. Several factors contributed to this adjustment, including reduced demand for QuantiFERON in immigration testing, continued caution among U.S. life sciences customers, and broader geopolitical uncertainties affecting global markets.
Adjusted diluted EPS for the full year is now المتوقع to reach at least $2.43 at CER, compared to the earlier projection of at least $2.50. Despite this downward revision, QIAGEN remains optimistic about stronger performance in the second half of 2026. The company anticipates that growth will be supported by the resolution of certain headwinds, including the discontinuation of the NeuMoDx and Dialunox product lines, as well as the impact of recent and upcoming product launches.
Additionally, QIAGEN expects sequential improvement in QuantiFERON sales as the market stabilizes, along with continued contributions from the Parse Biosciences acquisition, which is currently performing ahead of initial expectations. These factors are expected to help drive a rebound in growth momentum later in the year.
For the second quarter of 2026, QIAGEN has provided cautious guidance. The company expects net sales to decline by approximately 2% at CER compared to the $534 million reported in the second quarter of 2025. Adjusted diluted EPS for Q2 is projected to be at least $0.60 at CER, consistent with the prior-year period.
CEO Thierry Bernard highlighted the company’s progress across multiple areas of its portfolio, noting strong contributions from sample technologies, QIAcuity, and QIAGEN Digital Insights. He acknowledged the impact of declining immigration testing demand on QuantiFERON sales but described it as a temporary “rebasing” rather than a fundamental shift in long-term demand for latent TB testing. Bernard emphasized that the company remains focused on executing its updated strategy and positioning itself for accelerated growth in the latter half of the year.
Chief Financial Officer Roland Sackers echoed this sentiment, pointing to the company’s ability to maintain profitability through disciplined execution. He noted that QIAGEN successfully navigated challenges such as tariff pressures, currency fluctuations, and ongoing investments in its product portfolio, while also ensuring reliable product supply. Sackers подчеркнул that the company will continue to focus on efficiency improvements, disciplined capital allocation, and targeted investments to support long-term growth and shareholder value.
In terms of upcoming events, QIAGEN has scheduled a conference call on April 28, 2026, to discuss its preliminary results and updated outlook. The company will also release its full first-quarter results on May 6, 2026. Additionally, a dedicated “QuantiFERON Spotlight Session” is planned for May 7, 2026, where management will provide further insights into the strategic direction and product enhancements for this important franchise.
Overall, QIAGEN’s first-quarter performance reflects a company navigating a complex and evolving market landscape. While certain segments faced short-term challenges, the strength of its core growth pillars, combined with a focus on innovation and operational discipline, positions the company to pursue sustainable growth in the months ahead.
About QIAGEN
QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands-based holding company, is a global leader in Sample to Insight solutions that enable customers to extract and analyze molecular information from biological samples containing the building blocks of life. Our Sample technologies isolate and process DNA, RNA and proteins from blood, tissue and other materials. Assay technologies prepare these biomolecules for analysis, while bioinformatics support the interpretation of complex data to deliver actionable insights.
Automation solutions integrate these steps into streamlined, cost-effective workflows. QIAGEN serves more than 500,000 customers worldwide in the Life Sciences (academia, pharmaceutical R&D and industrial applications such as forensics) and molecular diagnostics (clinical healthcare). As of March 31, 2026, QIAGEN employed approximately 5,500 people across more than 35 locations.
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