- Catalent reassures customers that its operations and commitments will remain unchanged despite the $16.5 billion deal with Novo Holdings.
- The transaction, involving three plants acquired by Novo Nordisk, is under review by the FTC amid concerns over competition in the GLP-1 drug market.
Catalent, a global contract manufacturer, has sought to reassure its customers following its $16.5 billion deal with Novo Holdings. In a letter sent Monday, CEO Alessandro Maselli emphasised that the company will continue operating as an independent full-service CDMO and that the transaction will not affect customer commitments or proprietary information.
In his letter, Maselli reaffirmed Catalent’s focus on customer needs, stating, “I want to be clear: our commitments to you will not change, your products will remain our focus, and your proprietary information will be protected.”
The deal, announced in February, includes the sale of three major Catalent manufacturing plants to Novo Nordisk, a company partially owned by Novo Holdings. These facilities are expected to ramp up production of Novo’s popular GLP-1 drugs, including Wegovy and Ozempic, which have experienced high demand in the obesity drug market.
The transaction is currently under review by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Several labour unions, consumer groups, and Senator Elizabeth Warren have expressed concerns, arguing that the acquisition may reduce competition in the contract manufacturing sector.
Despite these challenges, both Novo Holdings and Catalent remain confident that the deal will close by the end of 2024.
Overview of outsourcing trends 
