Novo Holdings, the parent company of Novo Nordisk, has completed its acquisition of Catalent for $16.5 billion. The deal was announced in February 2024. 

Novo’s interest to increase manufacturing capacity, most notably for its diabetes and obesity drugs, was the primary driver of the deal. With the closing of the deal, Novo Holdings has completed the sale of three Catalent fill–finish sites and related assets to Novo Nordisk for $11 billion. These three sites are in Anagni, Italy; Bloomington, Indiana; and Brussels, Belgium. The three sites employ more than 3,000 people, and all have ongoing collaborations with Novo Nordisk. 

The acquisition of the fill–filling sites is aligned with Novo Nordisk’s strategy of increasing production for its diabetes and obesity drugs and is the latest move by the company to increase manufacturing capacity for these products, with the company having announced several moves in 2023 and 2024 to increase its internal manufacturing capacity. The Catalent acquisition is expected to gradually increase Novo Nordisk’s filling capacity from 2026 and onwards. Novo Nordisk says it will honor all customer obligations at the three Catalent sites that it is acquiring. 

In closing the acquisition, Novo Holdings acquired all outstanding shares of Catalent for $63.50 per share in cash, for a total value of $16.5 billion. 

Alessandro Maselli will remain President and Chief Executive Officer of Catalent, which now becomes a privately held company under Novo Holdings.  

Source: Novo Holdings and Novo Nordisk