QIAGEN N.V. Annual Report 2001

Contents
2 Report of the Supervisory Board
4 Letter from the Managing Board
6 QIAGEN — Focusing the Power
of Life Sciences
16 Contents — Financial Data
QIAGEN is the world’s leading provider of innovative
technologies for purifying, separating, and
handling DNA and RNA — the genetic blueprints
of life. Since 1984, QIAGEN has successfully
developed, produced, and marketed an everincreasing
range of proprietary products for
academic, industrial, and clinical research.
With the sequencing of the entire human genome in
2000, new applications in the life sciences are
rapidly emerging. The developing genomics,
proteomics, and cellomics markets are fueling
applications such as real-time PCR, microarray
analysis for gene and drug discovery, DNA- and
RNA-based molecular diagnostics, and genetic
vaccination and gene therapy. The knowledge
that could result — for example, full characterization
of mutations in a cancer patient’s tumor — may
allow clinicians to develop drug treatments
personalized for each patient. This will lead to
more effective treatments, as well as reducing the
time and expense of developing new drugs by
improving our understanding of the mode of drug
action. However, these emerging applications
share crucial prerequisites — technologies that
enable the handling, extraction, and purification of
DNA and RNA.
QIAGEN is uniquely positioned to take full
advantage of the wealth of commercial opportunities
presented by the life science industry. Already
a leader in the life science research market, in
2001 QIAGEN strengthened its position in
the genomics, proteomics, cellomics, molecular
diagnostics, and gene therapy markets through
development of innovative products, strategic
alliances with key commercial players, and the
acquisition of the Sawady group of companies.
2001 was a year of momentum for QIAGEN
and our traditions of innovation, quality, and service
continued to be key factors for growth and success
in the Company’s core business — technologies
and products for the purification, separation, and
handling of nucleic acids.