Novo Nordisk ($500B) Acquires Catalent for $16.5B to Boost Production of Wegovy, Ozempic

Dec 16, 2024, 04:02 AM

Novo Nordisk, valued at over $500 billion, is set to close its $16.5 billion acquisition of Catalent, a leading contract drug manufacturer, after the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) declined to challenge the deal. The acquisition, which also involves Novo Holdings taking over Catalent and Novo Nordisk acquiring three manufacturing sites from Novo Holdings, aims to address production capacity issues for Novo Nordisk's popular weight loss and diabetes drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy. Catalent, a subcontractor that already helps manufacture Wegovy, has been an attractive target due to its role in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The deal has received approval from both the European Commission and the FTC, following concerns about potential impacts on competition in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to the acquisition, Novo Nordisk announced an investment of DKK 8.5 billion ($1.2 billion) in a new production facility in Odense, Denmark, to further expand its manufacturing capabilities for rare disease drugs.