Novo Holdings, the holding company in charge of managing the assets and wealth of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, plans to increase its capital expenditure (Capex) to reach 7 billion dollars (equivalent to 6.5 billion euros) by 2030. company , which owns 77% of the Danish pharmaceutical company, aims to disburse shares annually of 5,000 million dollars (about 4,643 million euros) in the next five years, with plans to increase this amount by 2,000 million dollars (around 1,857 million euros) additional by 2030.
“We have a constantly growing investment portfolio that generates very attractive returns,” said the CEO of Novo Nordisk, Kasim Kutay, in an interview with ‘Financial Times’. “That will allow us to continue growing, and, well, then we obviously have the growth of Ozempic and Wegovy, and many dividends… we have more money than ever to invest,” he summarized.
In this sense, the company’s weight loss and diabetes area is expected to reach a value of 100,000 million dollars (92,856 million euros) by 20230, even despite competition from the American laboratory Eli Lilly, with drugs similar to Ozempic or Wegovy.
Purchase of Catalent
Thus, in order to expand its production capacity and be able to meet growing demand, Novo Holdings reached an agreement last week to purchase Catalent, valued at 16.5 billion dollars (15.321 million euros), after which it will sell to the Danish pharmaceutical company three production centers in exchange for 11,000 million dollars (10,214 million euros).
These sites are located in Anagni (Italy), Brussels (Belgium) and Bloomington (United States) and employ more than 3,000 people. In this way, all of Catalent’s outstanding shares will be acquired at a price of $63.50 (€58.96) per share in cash, which represents a 16.5% premium over the closing price on Friday, December 2. February. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Catalent shareholders, and upon completion of applicable regulatory requirements.
During the evaluation of possible alternatives, Catalent’s board unanimously determined that the transaction with Novo Holdings is in the best interest of the company and unanimously recommended that shareholders vote in favor of the transaction. Following the closing of the merger, Catalent shares will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Catalent will become a private company.
