Samsung Biologics completes $353 mln Maryland, US plant acquisition

By Kim Dong-young Posted : April 1, 2026, 14:13 Updated : April 1, 2026, 14:13
Samsung Biologics manufacturing site in Rockville, Maryland/Courtesy of Samsung Biologics
SEOUL, April 01 (AJP) -Samsung Biologics, South Korea’s leading contract drug manufacturer, has completed its acquisition of a biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Rockville, Maryland, marking its first production base in the United States to better access the world’s largest drug market and mitigate tariff risks.

The company said in a press release on Wednesday its wholly owned unit Samsung Biologics America acquired Human Genome Sciences from GSK for $353.1 million, including $280 million for the facility and equity and $73.1 million for inventories and raw materials.

The Rockville site comprises two manufacturing plants with a combined 60,000-liter drug substance capacity, supporting both clinical and commercial biologics production. The addition lifts Samsung Biologics’ total global capacity to 845,000 liters.

The deal comes as the company seeks to mitigate supply chain risks and expand its contract manufacturing presence beyond Korea, where all of its production facilities had previously been concentrated.

Samsung Biologics said it will continue supplying products previously manufactured at the site to GSK while expanding contract manufacturing services. It also plans further investments to increase capacity and upgrade technologies at the facility.

The acquisition secures more than 500 jobs at the site and strengthens the company’s ability to offer multi-site manufacturing options to global clients, particularly in North America.
 
Ribbon-cutting ceremony at an event marking Samsung Biologics' acquisition of manufacturing site in Rockville, Maryland, on March 31, 2026 (local time) CEO John Rim in the center, and to his right Korean Ambassador to US Kang Kyung-wha and left Gov. Wes Moore (Courtesy of Samsung Biologics)
“This represents a meaningful step in expanding our U.S. manufacturing footprint,” CEO John Rim said, highlighting the role of the new facility in building a geographically diversified production network.

“Today’s ribbon cutting is the realization of that meeting and our state’s momentum,” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said. “South Korea’s largest biotech company is opening its first U.S. manufacturing facility here in Maryland.”

The deal’s closure came three months after Samsung Biologics announced the acquisition on Dec. 22 last year, as part of efforts to mitigate risks stemming from U.S. tariff policies on biopharmaceuticals. 

As of 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, KOSPI-listed Samsung Biologics were 5 percent up at 1,580,000 won ($1,047).
 

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