Qiagen Names Former Filtration Group Chief Jonathan Pratt as CEO

Qiagen has appointed Jonathan M. Pratt as chief executive officer, effective September 1, the Netherlands-based molecular diagnostics and life sciences company said in a release filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on August 24. Pratt succeeds Thierry Bernard, who will step down as CEO and managing director and support an orderly transition through the end of the year.

The appointment ends a nearly 10-month search for Bernard's successor, MedTech Dive reported. Bernard became Qiagen's CEO in 2019, initially on an interim basis, according to the publication.

Pratt's background

Pratt most recently served as president and CEO of Filtration Group, leading the business through the completion of its sale to Parker-Hannifin in August 2026, Qiagen said. MedTech Dive described that sale as a $9.25 billion buyout. Before Filtration Group, Pratt was senior vice president of the Waters Division at Waters Corporation and president of Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, a Danaher operating company, and he held senior leadership positions at Pall Corporation, according to the release.

"The Supervisory Board unanimously concluded that Jon Pratt is the right leader for QIAGEN's next phase," said Stephen H. Rusckowski, chairman of Qiagen's supervisory board. Qiagen said Pratt will also be proposed to shareholders as a managing director at an extraordinary general meeting planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.

Pratt said in the release that his first priority would be "to listen to QIAGEN teams and customers, learn more about the business and understand where we can sharpen our choices, strengthen execution and create greater impact."

Strategic review continues

Qiagen reaffirmed its outlook for the third quarter and full year 2026. It said its supervisory board "continues to evaluate opportunities, with independent financial and legal advisors, as part of its strategic review" relative to the company's standalone business plan.

Private equity firms including EQT, Advent and KKR were considering acquiring Qiagen in July, according to Bloomberg, as cited by MedTech Dive. William Blair analysts wrote in a note to investors that Pratt's background is a good fit, while noting that Qiagen's shares fell after the announcement, which the publication said could reflect the appointment's implications for the likelihood of a near-term acquisition. The analysts said they "suspect a reasonable base now revolves around portfolio reshaping rather than more drastic measures."

Qiagen has been through a similar moment before. MedTech Dive noted that the company disclosed nonbinding indications of interest one month into Bernard's tenure, initially chose to stay independent, and later accepted a Thermo Fisher Scientific takeover offer that fell apart.