Novo Holdings is on the verge of securing unconditional approval from the European Union for its $16.5 billion acquisition of U.S.-based contract drug manufacturer Catalent. The deal, seen as a strategic move to amplify production capabilities for Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drug Wegovy, marks a significant step in reshaping the pharmaceutical landscape.
Sources close to the development revealed that the European Commission, tasked with overseeing competition regulations, is expected to give its nod ahead of the December 6 deadline. Meanwhile, Catalent has begun positioning its senior leadership for the merger’s anticipated closure.
This acquisition aligns with Novo Holdings’ broader ambitions, leveraging its controlling stake in Novo Nordisk. The Danish pharmaceutical giant, buoyed by the runaway success of Wegovy, now holds the title of Europe’s most valuable company. The merger could further streamline manufacturing and scale up supply to meet surging global demand.
While EU approval appears imminent, the deal remains under scrutiny in the U.S., where the Federal Trade Commission had previously requested additional details. Updates from the American regulator, however, have yet to materialize.
The companies involved have declined to comment, and the European Commission has remained tight-lipped. Yet, the impending green light from Europe signals a pivotal moment for both Novo Holdings and Catalent, as they prepare to reshape the drug manufacturing landscape.
