QIAGEN delivers solid Q4 2024 growth ahead of outlook

On February 5, 2025 QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2024 (Press release, Qiagen, FEB 5, 2025, View Source [SID1234650058]).

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Net sales for Q4 2024 increased 2% to $521 million compared to Q4 2023, while sales at constant exchange rates (CER) of $525 million rose 3% and were above the outlook for at least $520 million CER and core sales (excluding discontinued products such as NeuMoDx and Dialunox) rose 4% CER. The adjusted operating income margin improved by 2.6 percentage points to 30.6%, driven by efficiency gains and benefits from the NeuMoDx decision, enabling reinvestments into targeted growth initiatives. Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $0.61, and CER results of $0.61 were above the outlook for at least $0.60 CER.

QIAGEN expects the solid growth pace in H2 2024 to continue in 2025. Net sales are expected to rise about 4% CER (and core sales growth of about 5% CER). Adjusted diluted EPS is expected to be at least $2.28 CER, driven by a goal to improve the adjusted operating income margin by at least 150 basis points to above 30% while absorbing lower non-operating income contributions than in 2024.

"Our teams at QIAGEN concluded 2024 with a solid performance in the fourth quarter, exceeding our outlook for net sales and profitability. These results underscore the resilience of our portfolio, with over 85% of sales coming from highly recurring revenues, and our focus on delivering solid profitable growth in an ongoing challenging environment," said Thierry Bernard, CEO of QIAGEN.

"Our solid sales growth in the second half of 2024 mirrors our plans for further strong growth in 2025 as we reconfirm our 2028 targets. QIAstat-Dx exceeded expectations with four FDA clearances for our syndromic testing system in 2024 and one already in 2025, coupled with over 660 placements in 2024 that was ahead of our target. QuantiFERON delivered 11% CER growth for 2024, with significant opportunities for further expansion since only 40% of the global latent TB testing market has so far been converted from the outdated skin test. QIAcuity also delivered solid growth despite challenging instrument purchase trends as we expanded digital PCR into clinical use in 2024 while expanding our presence with academia, pharma and other customers."

"We are pleased with our 2024 results that featured strong free cash flow combined with solid sales growth and a significant increase in the outlook for adjusted EPS during the year thanks to operational profitability improvements. Our confidence in QIAGEN’s future is reflected in the return of about $300 million to shareholders in January through a synthetic share repurchase. We remain well-positioned to execute on our 2028 commitments for solid profitable growth, supported by our differentiated portfolio and disciplined capital allocation that seeks to strengthen our business while increasing returns to shareholders," said Roland Sackers, CFO of QIAGEN.

Please find the full press release incl. tables as a PDF for download at the top of this page.

Investor presentation and conference call

A conference call is scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 16:00 Frankfurt Time / 15:00 London Time / 10:00 New York Time. A live audio webcast will be accessible in the investor relations section of the QIAGEN website (www.qiagen.com), with a recording available after the event. The presentation will be published ahead of the call in this section: QIAGEN Investor Relations – Events and Presentations.

Use of adjusted results

QIAGEN reports adjusted results, as well as results on a constant exchange rate (CER) basis, along with other non-U.S. GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) measures, to provide deeper insights into its performance. These include metrics such as core sales (excluding discontinued products), adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross profit, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating expenses, adjusted operating income margin, adjusted net income, adjusted net income before taxes, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EPS, adjusted income taxes, adjusted tax rate, and free cash flow. Free cash flow is calculated by subtracting capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment from cash flow from operating activities. Adjusted results are non-GAAP financial measures that QIAGEN considers complementary to GAAP-reported results but not as substitutes. These measures exclude items that QIAGEN believes are outside of ongoing core operations, fluctuate significantly between periods, or hinder the comparability of results with competitors and prior periods. QIAGEN also uses non-GAAP and constant currency financial measures internally in planning, forecasting and reporting, and also for employee compensation. Additionally, adjusted results are used to compare current performance with historical results, which have consistently been presented on an adjusted basis.