Novo Holdings to buy US drug maker Catalent in $16.5bn deal

Novo Holdings, the controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk, has agreed to buy US drug maker Catalent in a $16.5bn cash deal.

Novo Holdings will pay $63.50 per share, which is a premium of 16.5% to the closing Catalent share price on Friday.

Novo said it plans to sell three Catalent fill-finish sites and related assets bought in the merger to Novo Nordisk. The sites are located in Italy, the US and Belgium.

Chief executive Kasim Kutay said: "We are excited to partner with Catalent as it enters a new phase of growth and accelerates its mission to develop, manufacture and supply products that help people live better and healthier lives. With our expertise and track record of investing in high quality life sciences businesses, we believe Catalent is a very good strategic fit.

"We are excited to support the company’s stakeholders in the years ahead, especially employees and customers as they work to develop new products to benefit patients. As engaged investors committed to productive relationships with all our partners, we look forward to working with the Catalent team to realise the company’s full potential."