Ozempic: Manufacturer of slimming syringes wants to expand capacity

The pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, known for its weight loss injections, wants to expand its capacities with a billion-dollar deal. The company produces, among other things, the diabetes and diet medications Ozempic and Wegovy. Now it wants to take over three bottling plants in the USA, Italy and Belgium.

The Denmark-based company announced that a corresponding deal to take over the US company Catalent had been given the green light by the authorities. The takeover could be completed “in the coming days”.

Novo Nordisk, long known for its diabetes business, has become one of the most valuable stock market companies in the world thanks to the boom in weight loss products. However, the company’s production is currently barely keeping up with demand.

The prescription drug Wegovy has also been available in Germany for a year and a half. It is said to help with losing and maintaining weight. Patients inject it under their skin.

Novo Nordisk announced its expansion plans in February. To this end, Novo Holdings – the main shareholder in Novo Nordisk – is to take over Catalent, after which Novo Nordisk is to take over three production sites for more than 11 billion US dollars.

Catalent fills medicines for several companies and is one of the world’s largest suppliers in the pharmaceutical industry, reported the Danish news agency Ritzau. There are therefore also concerns about the deal from competitor Eli Lilly, consumer advocates and unions.