Put Solutions in the Hands of People Who Need Them: QIAGEN

Q: What role will Mexico play in achieving QIAGEN’s key objectives and milestones for 2028?

A: Latin America holds a significant share of QIAGEN’s global market. Our focus for 2025 to 2028 remains aligned with the pillars established four years ago, spanning clinical molecular biology and research. Mexico is a crucial market for us. Our office in the country, staffed by over 40 professionals, is dedicated to bringing cutting-edge technology for the betterment of Mexican lives.

Q: What specific challenges do your solutions address for customers in Latin America and Mexico?

A: Tuberculosis remains a significant global health challenge, despite common misconceptions that it is eradicated or confined to the poorest countries. Tuberculosis is the leading infectious disease killer worldwide, claiming nearly 2 million lives annually. We engage in campaigns and meetings with key leaders to disseminate critical information and provide solutions that enable swift diagnosis and necessary treatments.

Our QuantiFERON test, for example, detects latent tuberculosis, which affects 1 in 4 people and can become active at any time. We also introduced a solution for respiratory syndromic panels, having recently received the COFEPRIS stamp. This solution addresses respiratory issues common in Mexico, whether caused by viruses or bacteria. It offers a rapid diagnosis that allows doctors to promptly determine the best treatment.

We also have a strong presence in the forensic area, particularly in Mexico, where we specialize in DNA recovery from missing people. Given the unfortunate prevalence of disappearances, our expertise in extracting DNA from bones, hair, and other body parts is vital for human identification, providing closure to families. Through government programs, we have collaborated with several laboratories to identify numerous human graves, primarily in northern Mexico.

Research is another cornerstone of the company. We support numerous research laboratories doing groundbreaking work on new medications, drugs, and vaccines. We are a prominent presence in virtually every laboratory in Mexico, fostering innovation and discovery.

Q: What strategies does QIAGEN employ to ensure the provision of effective and continuous support for patients in Mexico?

A: Having a solution is meaningless if it does not reach the people who need it. We operate through direct sales and comprehensive marketing efforts. We serve some clients directly, but to reach every corner of Mexico, we need extensive coverage, so we also collaborate with strong business partners and distributors who can cover all provinces and cities. This ensures that we reach practically all potential users of molecular biology.

Our marketing team plays a crucial role in this, organizing numerous webinars and events that focus on specific areas of our portfolio. In July, we will host a forensic workshop in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, with our commercial partners. This event will gather key figures in forensics from Mexico and Latin America to discuss the future of forensics and how our company can contribute. We also have Spanish and Portuguese channels to directly engage with clients in the region, as it is crucial to tailor the information to local contexts.

Q: QIAGEN has been recognized as a top employer in Mexico. What unique value do you see in the Mexican workforce?

A: More important than having the Great Place to Work stamp is using the information we gather to continuously improve. We prioritize extensive communication so everyone is informed simultaneously. Another critical point is empowerment. When people have the same information and the trust of their leaders to make decisions, things move faster. This results in quicker solutions for clients and strengthens the decision-maker’s position.

We also measure our performance externally through the Net Promoter Score (NPS). For two years, both in Brazil and Mexico, we have achieved excellent NPS, indicating that our clients view us favorably compared to other companies. This approach to empowerment motivates our employees and reduces turnover, which is quite common in our industry.

Q: What sustainability initiatives is QIAGEN implementing?

A: We played a significant role during the pandemic as one of the largest manufacturers of PCR tests. The revenue from COVID-19 testing was reinvested into enhancing our manufacturing capabilities and sustainability efforts. Our factories, particularly in Germany, have made substantial strides in sustainability. We have installed solar panels and implemented numerous other eco-friendly measures.

We are also deeply concerned about reducing plastic in our packaging. Our test kits previously used around 10kg of paper and plastics, but now, through advanced technologies, we have reduced this to about 6kg per kit.

Q: What legacy does QIAGEN aim to leave in Mexico in terms of advances in molecular diagnostics and improvement of public health?

A: We have accomplished what we thought would take us five to 10 years. More and more doctors, hospitals, and research centers are seeking and using molecular solutions for their work and treatments. Our mission is to reach every patient who needs a molecular biology test, ensuring they receive better, faster, and more cost-effective treatments. We are progressively democratizing these molecular tests so that more people can use them.

Q: What strategies is your company implementing to anticipate and address potential future health crises?

A: Many predict the next pandemic will be bacterial due to the overuse of antibiotics. Often, people start taking antibiotics for fever or flu without knowing if it is a bacterial or viral infection. They might feel better after a day or two and stop the antibiotics prematurely, contributing to the rise of superbugs resistant to antibiotics. A quick test can determine if it is a bacterial or viral infection, guiding appropriate treatment and reducing unnecessary antibiotic use.

Improving patient outcomes and lowering overall treatment costs are key. Quick diagnosis means patients can avoid unnecessary hospital stays, freeing up resources for those who truly need them. We are deeply involved in the healing and health process, constantly striving to provide solutions as early as possible before conditions become severe.

QIAGEN provides comprehensive Sample to Insight solutions globally, facilitating the extraction and analysis of molecular insights from diverse biological samples.