A diagnostics company behind one of the best-known rapid Covid-19 tests has put its point-of-care testing unit up for sale, aiming at a valuation of $1.5bn, as private equity buyers eye opportunities in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. 

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, and Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH), a Minneapolis-based global provider of life science tools, analytical technologies, and consumables, today entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, will, subject to customary closing conditions, acquire Bio-Techne for US$73 per share in cash, representing a total enterprise value of approximately US$11.3 billion (EUR 9.9 billion), a 36% premium to Bio-Techne's one-month volume weighted average trading price.

QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today announced preliminary results for the first quarter of 2026, continuing to deliver strong profitability as adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) achieved the outlook. Sales trends were mixed, as lower QuantiFERON sales and cautious U.S. Life Sciences customer demand offset solid growth in other areas of the portfolio.

Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced that it has successfully closed the acquisition of the chromatography business of JSR Life Sciences.

Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) ("Waters") today announced it has completed the previously announced combination with the Biosciences & Diagnostic Solutions businesses of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE: BDX) ("BD"). The transaction forms a global life sciences and diagnostics leader, equipped with best-in-class technologies, and an industry-leading financial outlook. The Company also announced the appointment of Claire M. Fraser, Ph.D., to its Board of Directors (the "Waters Board"), increasing the size of the Waters Board to a total of 11 members.

On December 2, 2025, Merck announced that Rogier Janssens will officially assume the role of President of Merck China starting February 1, 2026.

Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings in the rapidly evolving field of In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) in China.

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, today announced results for its fiscal 2025 fourth quarter and full year, which ended September 30, 2025.

Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX) today announced a definitive agreement to combine BD’s Biosciences & Diagnostic Solutions business with Waters, creating an innovative life science and diagnostics leader with pioneering technologies and an industry-leading financial outlook. The agreement is structured as a tax-efficient Reverse Morris Trust transaction valued at approximately $17.5 billion.

SCIEX, a global leader in life science analytical technologies, announces Chris Hagen as President, effective immediately. Hagen joins SCIEX from Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, a fellow Danaher operating company, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Core Lab Specialty Solutions. As President of SCIEX, Hagen aims to motivate operational and commercial excellence while pushing the boundaries of innovation in analytical science.