Novo Holdings will proceed with its $16.5 billion acquisition of Catalent, the companies announced Saturday, after the Federal Trade Commission decided not to challenge the deal. It’s expected to close in the coming days.
Bloomington plant employees were hopeful for the deal to go through, several workers told the Indiana Daily Student before Saturday’s announcement, looking for improved morale and better working conditions.
Novo Holdings is the controlling shareholder for Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical giant that manufactures Ozempic and Wegovy. Amid the race to boost production of weight loss drugs, Novo Nordisk will directly acquire Bloomington’s Catalent facility, along with two other plants in Europe.
The FTC had previously requested more information on the deal in May. Consumer watchdogs and competitors scrutinized the acquisition, alleging it would limit competition in the burgeoning weight-loss drug market.
Still, the European Commission approved the deal early this month, saying it would not limit competition in its market.
