New site in Maryland adds 60,000 liters of drug substance capacity, bringing total to 845,000 liters
Samsung Biologics has officially acquired a biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Rockville, Maryland, to signify its first production foothold in the United States, the company said Wednesday.
The Korean contract development and manufacturing organization, or CDMO, announced the $280 million deal to acquire GSK’s plant in Rockville in December. The newly added site features two Current Good Manufacturing Practice, or cGMP-certified, manufacturing plants with a combined 60,000-liter drug substance capacity. Offering clinical and commercial biologics production across multiple manufacturing scales, it brings Samsung Biologics’ total global manufacturing capacity up to 845,000 liters.
“This represents a meaningful step in expanding our US manufacturing footprint. The addition of the Rockville site strengthens our ability to operate a geographically diversified manufacturing network, and we are thrilled to officially welcome more than 500 colleagues at the site to the Samsung Biologics family,” said Samsung Biologics CEO John Rim.
“The Rockville team brings deep expertise and strong operational experience that will further strengthen the site as part of our global manufacturing network. As a CDMO, our mission is to help our partners bring important therapies to patients worldwide, and this site will play a pivotal role in that mission while ensuring continuity and upholding the high standards our clients expect.”
Samsung Biologics said it will continue supplying the products previously manufactured at the site to GSK under the terms of the agreement, while transitioning the plant to serve additional contract manufacturing needs. The Korean CDMO added it also plans to invest in expanding the site’s capacity and upgrading technologies, reinforcing its long-term commitment to advancing a more resilient global supply chain and improving patient access to critical medicines.
By Kan Hyeong-woo (hwkan@heraldcorp.com)
