Novo Holdings' $16.5 billion acquisition of US contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Catalent has been completed, after months of debate over potential antitrust issues.

Novo Holdings has completed its $16.5 billion acquisition of Catalent, the contract drug manufacturer said on Wednesday, days after the companies disclosed that all regulatory conditions to close the deal were fulfilled.

Novo Nordisk plans to buy from the holding company three sites — Brussels; Anagni, Italy; and Bloomington — for $11.7 billion.

After clearing all regulatory hurdles associated with its proposed buyout of CDMO Catalent, Novo Holdings is nearly ready to unwrap its $16.5 billion present just in time for the holidays.

Novo Holdings, the controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk, on Wednesday sealed its $16.5 billion deal for Catalent, as the Danish drugmaker looks to boost supplies of its widely popular weight-loss drug Wegovy.

Indications are that Novo will be investing in both the plant and the community,” an Indiana University professor said.