QIAGEN Acquires Biosystems Business from Biotage

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  Transaction adds fundamental assay technology for high-resolution
     sequence detection and quantification of genetic variations


VENLO, The Netherlands, October 1, 2008 - QIAGEN N.V. (NASDAQ:  QGEN;
Frankfurt, Prime Standard: QIA) today announced that it has  acquired
all assets  related to  the Biosystems  business from  Biotage AB,  a
publicly listed developer, manufacturer  and distributor of  products
for  genetic  analysis  and  medicinal  chemistry  headquartered   in
Uppsala, Sweden.  The transaction  is valued  at approximately  US$53
million  in  cash  (subject  to  certain  customary  purchase   price
adjustments)  and   performance   milestone   payments   of   up   to
approximately US$7 million over the next four years.

The Biosystems unit  of Biotage  is best known  for having  pioneered
Pyrosequencing®,  which  has  become  a  fundamental  technology   in
next-generation  sequencing.  Pyrosequencing  is  a  patented   assay
technology that in special  formats can achieve significantly  longer
runs and can be  employed in a massively  parallel design to  address
the needs for  applications such  as high volume  data generation  in
whole genome  sequencing applications.  In its  widely used  standard
format this technology provides the opportunity to read DNA-sequences
up to 100  base pairs in  real time and  at a price  per read in  the
single dollar range.

To automate the use of the Pyrosequencing technology, Biosystems  has
developed  PyroMark  instrumentation,  the  world's  first  real-time
sequence detection system whose  primary product family includes  the
PyroMark MD, PyroMark ID and  PyroMark Q24. The system is  considered
to  offer  significant  advantages   over  other  sequence   analysis
technologies in short  length sequence  detection and  quantification
and  to  represent   a  synergistic  addition   to  other   detection
technologies QIAGEN offers. For example, while detection methods such
as PCR and qPCR allow to  make "yes/ no" and "indirect  quantitative"
statements  about  the  presence  of  a  specific  target  with  high
sensitivity  and   specificity,   Pyrosequencing  provides   a   high
resolution sequence detection and quantification down to reads of the
level of a single base-pair and thereby allows detection not only  of
known but  also of  unknown DNA  sequences or  mutations in  targeted
regions.

The technology offers significant value for applications including:

*        Epigenetics in research and molecular diagnostics:
  Pyrosequencing is the only proven technology that offers absolute
  and direct quantification of methylation patterns. Assessments and
  quantifications of methylation, a mechanism that controls
  gene-expression, help to better understand and predict diseases
  which are associated with abnormal methylation patterns, such as
  cancer.

*        Multiplex analyses in genetic and pathogen detection: Due to
  its ability to be performed in parallel, Pyrosequencing assays have
  great utility in detecting a broad range of different targets in
  the same run. Unlike PCR based multiplex assays, this technology
  detects both known and unknown genetic variants in DNA target
  regions. Pyrosequencing assays are therefore used to perform
  analyses of oncogenes such as K-ras, which require the analysis of
  several sections of DNA and which are associated with colon and
  other cancers. The technology is also widely used for multiplexed
  genotyping of viruses, bacteria, fungi and others.

In 2003 Biotage licensed rights to certain massively parallel formats
of the Pyrosequencing technology to  454 Life Sciences for a  product
development, which later  became Roche's  next generation  sequencing
platform. While this  and other massively  parallel formats are  very
useful  for  generating  large  volumes  of  data  in  whole   genome
sequencing  applications,  current  cost  and  workflows  make   next
generation  sequencing   technologies   prohibitive  for   many   key
applications in research and molecular diagnostics. Many assays, such
as K-ras cancer tests require the generation of smaller data  volumes
and target  limited stretches  of DNA  in known  regions. Many  other
assays have to be performed at prices ranging as low as under $10 per
run. In these applications, the PyroMark solutions to  sequence-based
detection and quantification have proven to be of great value and are
increasingly recognized  for  their capabilities  to  perform  highly
reliable, quantifiable reads  at prices  as low  as $1  per 100  base
pairs. With this acquisition, QIAGEN has therefore not only  acquired
fundamental technologies used in next generation sequencing  formats,
but added  formats of  this same  technology which  have  significant
utility for current  and near  term applications  in areas  including
research and molecular diagnostics.

The  acquisition  of  sequence-based  detection  and   quantification
technology  complements  QIAGEN's  existing  portfolio  of  detection
platforms. Detection marks  the final  of the three  steps which  are
performed in molecular testing. QIAGEN holds leading market positions
in the  first two  steps  (sample preparation  and assay  setup)  and
recently added strong positions in detection through the acquisitions
of eGene (for DNA fragment analysis by capillary electrophoresis) and
Corbett Life Science (for its  real-time PCR platform). The  addition
of detection modules allows QIAGEN to offer its proprietary molecular
testing solutions in  solutions spanning from  sample to result.  The
Biosystems solutions  are compatible  with QIAGEN's  consumables  and
instruments. QIAGEN intends  to optimize existing  assays for use  on
PyroMark and  also develop  novel molecular  diagnostics as  well  as
research use  tests  for use  with  the platform  and  its  successor
systems.

"Pyrosequencing  technologies  are   excellent  complements  to   our
portfolio  of  current  and   future  molecular  testing   solutions,
including our  modular processing  platform QIAsymphony",  said  Peer
Schatz, CEO  of QIAGEN.  "We  are proud  to  offer our  customers  in
molecular diagnostics, applied testing, pharma and academic  research
'sample to  result'  solutions  which  address  further,  significant
information  needs.  Our  'sample  to  result'  solutions  now   span
qualitative/endpoint   PCR,    multiplex   technologies,    capillary
electrophoresis  as  well   as  quantitative   and  high   resolution
sequence-based analysis. With Pyrosequencing,  we are adding  nothing
less  but  a  proven  Gold  Standard  for  high-resolution   sequence
detection  and  quantification  which,  due  to  its  high  level  of
reliability, accuracy, ease-of-use and cost-efficiency is widely used
in today's next generation  sequencing technologies. As such,  QIAGEN
is not only gaining  financial interest and technological  leadership
in  a  core  next  generation  sequencing  technology,  but  is  also
addressing significant current and future  needs in our core  markets
for quantitative, high-resolution  sequence analyses of  short-medium
stretches."

"The fit with QIAGEN  is extra ordinary and  will be very  beneficial
for customers of both companies,'' Torben Joergensen, CEO of  Biotage
said. "QIAGEN has  an excellent molecular  assay and also  epigenetic
portfolios  which   perfectly  fits   together  with   our   PyroMark
instruments. Many of our customers  are QIAGEN customers as well.  In
addition, QIAGEN's  technology  leadership in  molecular  sample  and
assay  technologies,  its  global  reach  and  extensive   marketing,
combined with  strong  relationships  with  researchers  and  leading
laboratories around  the  world,  bring  exciting  opportunities  for
Biosystems. QIAGEN  is  the  ideal partner  to  take  the  Biosystems
business to the next  level and to  fully exploit the  Pyrosequencing
technology.''

Under the  terms of  the agreement,  QIAGEN has  acquired all  assets
related to the  Biosystems business for  the consideration  described
above. This consideration includes also the purchase of the remaining
17.5% of the outstanding  stock of Corbett  Life Science Ltd.  QIAGEN
will assume all employees related to the Biosystems business. Biotage
will also in accordance with a separate "transfer service  agreement"
provide certain administrative services to QIAGEN for the next twelve
months.

QIAGEN expects to incur one-time charges of approximately US$0.02  in
EPS  in  the  fourth  quarter   of  2008  in  connection  with   this
acquisition. These charges  primarily relate  to in-process  research
and development and  the write-off  of certain  assets. In  addition,
based on  preliminary  analyses  and following  the  streamlining  of
Biosystem's product  portfolio, QIAGEN  expects this  transaction  to
contribute approximately  US$2.5 million  in sales  in the  remaining
three months of 2008 and approximately US$15 million in sales for the
full year of 2009. On  an adjusted basis excluding one-time  charges,
integration and restructuring costs, and amortization of  acquisition
related intangible assets, the acquisition is expected to be dilutive
by approximately US$0.01 to EPS in the fourth quarter of 2008 and  to
be dilutive by approximately US$0.02 to adjusted EPS in 2009.  Beyond
2009, it is expected that the acquisition will contribute significant
accretion to net income.

Financial highlights of the acquisition:

QIAGEN acquires the  assets related to  the Biosystems business  from
Biotage for  US$53  million in  cash  (subject to  certain  customary
purchase price adjustments) and up  to approximately US$7 million  in
milestone payments over the next four years.

*          Expected to add revenues of approximately US$2.5 million
  in the remaining three months of 2008 and approximately US$15
  million in sales for the full year of 2009.

*          Expected one-time charges of approximately US$0.02 in EPS
  in the fourth quarter of 2008.

*          Expected to be dilutive by approximately US$0.01 to
  adjusted EPS in the fourth quarter of 2008 and to be dilutive by
  approximately US$0.02 to adjusted EPS in 2009. Beyond 2009, it is
  expected that the acquisition will contribute significant accretion
  to net income.


About QIAGEN
QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands holding  company, is the leading  provider
of sample and  assay technologies.  Sample technologies  are used  to
isolate and process  DNA, RNA, and  proteins from biological  samples
such as blood  or tissue. Assay  technologies are used  to make  such
isolated biomolecules visible. QIAGEN has developed and markets  more
than 500 consumable products as well as automated solutions for  such
consumables.  The  company   provides  its   products  to   molecular
diagnostics laboratories,  academic researchers,  pharmaceutical  and
biotechnology companies, and applied  testing customers for  purposes
such as forensics, animal or food testing, and pharmaceutical process
control. QIAGEN's assay technologies include what is considered to be
the broadest panel of molecular diagnostic tests available worldwide.
This  panel   includes  the   only   FDA-approved  test   for   human
papillomavirus (HPV), the  primary cause of  cervical cancer.  QIAGEN
employs more than 2,800 people  in more than 30 locations  worldwide.
Further information about QIAGEN can be found at www.qiagen.com.

About Biotage
Biotage AB is a Swedish company offering solutions within two fields:
pharmaceutical  chemistry,  conducted  in  the  Discovery   chemistry
business,  and  genetic  analysis,  which  makes  up  the  Biosystems
business unit. The company's shares are listed at the Small Cap  list
at the  OME Nordic  Exchange. Biotage  is headquartered  in  Uppsala,
Sweden, and employs a staff of 336 in offices in 5 countries.


SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
Certain of  the statements  contained  in this  news release  may  be
considered forward-looking statements within  the meaning of  Section
27A of the U.S. Securities Act  of 1933, as amended, and Section  21E
of the  U.S. Securities  Exchange Act  of 1934,  as amended.  To  the
extent that  any  of  the statements  contained  herein  relating  to
QIAGEN's  products,  markets,  strategy  or  operating  results   are
forward-looking, such statements  are based  on current  expectations
that involve a number of uncertainties and risks. Such  uncertainties
and risks  include, but  are not  limited to,  risks associated  with
management of  growth  and international  operations  (including  the
effects  of  currency  fluctuations   and  risks  of  dependency   on
logistics),  variability   of  operating   results,  the   commercial
development of the applied testing markets, clinical research markets
and proteomics  markets,  nucleic  acid-based  molecular  diagnostics
market,  and   genetic   vaccination  and   gene   therapy   markets,
competition,   rapid   or   unexpected   changes   in   technologies,
fluctuations in demand for QIAGEN's, products (including fluctuations
due to the level and timing of customers' funding, budgets, and other
factors), our ability to obtain regulatory approval of our infectious
disease  panels,  difficulties  in  successfully  adapting   QIAGEN's
products to  integrated solutions  and producing  such products,  the
ability of  QIAGEN  to  identify  and develop  new  products  and  to
differentiate  its  products   from  competitors'  products,   market
acceptance of QIAGEN's new products  and the integration of  acquired
technologies and businesses.  For further information,  refer to  the
discussions in reports that QIAGEN  has filed with, or furnished  to,
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

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Qiagen N.V.
Spoorstraat 50 KJ Venlo Netherlands

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