SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Dated July 3, 2002
QIAGEN N.V.
Spoorstraat 50
5911 KJ Venlo
The Netherlands
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Yes No X
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Page 1 of 6 Pages
QIAGEN N.V.
Form 6-K
On June 26, 2002, QIAGEN N.V. determined to dismiss its independent auditors,
Arthur Andersen LLP. This determination followed QIAGEN's decision to seek
proposals from independent accountants to audit the financial statements of
QIAGEN for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. The dismissal of Arthur
Andersen LLP was approved by QIAGEN's Supervisory Board, Audit Committee and
Managing Board.
The audit reports of Arthur Andersen LLP on the consolidated financial
statements of QIAGEN as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 and
December 31, 2000 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion,
nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting
principles.
During the two most recent fiscal years of QIAGEN ended December 31, 2001 and
December 31, 2000 and through June 28, 2002, there were no disagreements between
QIAGEN and Arthur Andersen LLP on any matter or accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which
disagreements, if not resolved to Arthur Andersen LLP's satisfaction, would have
caused Arthur Andersen LLP to make reference to the subject matter of the
disagreement in connection with its reports.
None of the reportable events described under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation
S-K occurred within the two most recent fiscal years of QIAGEN ended December
31, 2001 and December 31, 2000 or through June 28, 2002. The Company provided
Arthur Andersen LLP with a copy of the foregoing disclosures. Attached, as
Exhibit 16, is a copy of Arthur Andersen's letter, dated July 3, 2002, stating
its agreement with such statements.
Also on June 28, 2002, QIAGEN engaged the services of Ernst & Young LLP as its
new independent auditors. The appointment of Ernst & Young LLP was approved by
QIAGEN's Supervisory Board, Audit Committee and Managing Board, who had been
authorized to make such appointment by QIAGEN's shareholders at QIAGEN's Annual
General Meeting held on June 14, 2002. Ernst & Young LLP will audit the
financial statements of QIAGEN for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
QIAGEN N.V.
By: /s/ Peer M. Schatz
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Peer M. Schatz
Chief Financial Officer
Date: July 3, 2002
Exhibit Index
Exhibit Number
16 Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP regarding change in independent public
accountant
99 Press release date July 1, 2002