By Colin Kellaher


Shares of Catalent Inc. jumped more than 15% in premarket trading Monday following a published report that life-sciences giant Danaher Corp. has expressed takeover interest in the contract manufacturer.

Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, said Danaher's overtures in recent months value Catalent at a significant premium.

The Somerset, N.J., company sports a market capitalization just north of $10 billion based on Friday's closing share price of $56.05, well below its 52-week high of $115.34 reached last July.

Washington-based Danaher has a market value topping $196 billion.

It isn't clear whether Catalent is receptive to a takeover offer, and a deal isn't imminent, Bloomberg reports, adding that a Catalent representative said the company doesn't comment on market rumors or speculation, while a Danaher representative didn't respond to a request for comment.

Catalent shares were recently up nearly 17% to $65.51 in premarket trading.


Write to Colin Kellaher at colin.kellaher@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

02-06-23 0624ET