Already dominant in its home market of South Korea, contract development and manufacturing heavyweight Samsung Biologics is expanding its U.S. footprint through an acquisition.
Samsung Bio’s U.S. unit will spend $280 million to buy GSK’s Human Genome Sciences business along with two drug manufacturing facilities located in Rockville, Maryland. The campus will become Samsung Bio’s first production site in the U.S. and offers roughly 60,000 liters of drug substance capacity, with capabilities spanning both clinical and commercial manufacturing across small- and large-scale operations, the company said in a December 21 announcement.
GSK previously acquired Human Genome Sciences in 2012 for about $3.6 billion after the two companies had collaborated as partners.
Samsung Biologics said it will continue producing therapies already made at the Rockville facility and plans to invest further to expand manufacturing capacity and upgrade technology, reinforcing a more robust and resilient U.S. supply chain for crucial biologic drugs.
The South Korean contract manufacturer intends to retain over 500 workers at the site and anticipates closing the acquisition toward the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Keeping coy on which medicines the company will continue manufacturing, Regis Simard – the firm’s head of global supply chain – said the decision to sell the Rockville production facility to long-standing partner Samsung Biologics would ensure the continued making of two key drugs in the country for American patients while strengthening GSK’s supply network strength.
Samsung Bio already commands major manufacturing muscle at its Songdo base in Incheon, South Korea. In total, the company operates 785,000 liters of capacity across five facilities located on two adjacent campuses, with a third campus now under development. Samsung Bio said it has recently acquired land for the new site – known as Bio Campus III – which is slated to support both specialized R&D efforts and manufacturing for emerging drug modalities.
At present, the CDMO is capable of supporting production of therapies such as monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and mRNA, along with organoid-based services and other next-generation treatment platforms.
The company’s emphasis on strengthening the U.S. drug supply chain aligns with the onshoring push that has shaped much of the Trump administration’s pharmaceutical tariff negotiations this year.
Although many major branded drugmakers have since reached pricing agreements that temporarily shield them from tariffs, uncertainty remains around how the administration’s trade policies will ultimately impact contract manufacturers and smaller biotech companies.
The most recent official update on the Trump administration’s pharmaceutical tariffs was made in late September, when officials floated plans for a 100% levy on branded or patented drugs unless their manufacturers are actively constructing production facilities in the U.S. The tariff was initially expected to take effect on October 1, but the rollout appears to have been put on hold as the administration negotiated pricing agreements with the pharmaceutical sector.
Still, despite the regulatory and policy uncertainty this year, Samsung Bio has continued to build momentum with U.S.-based drugmakers.
Industry experts view this acquisition as a major step for Samsung Biologics in positioning itself as a global leader in contract development and manufacturing. By securing a U.S.-based facility, Samsung can now offer faster production timelines to American clients, reducing shipping and regulatory delays that often affect overseas manufacturing.
The Rockville campus also provides Samsung with an opportunity to pilot new biologic production technologies. Analysts expect the company to invest in advanced automation, continuous manufacturing, and quality control systems that can increase efficiency while maintaining high standards for drug safety and efficacy.
These upgrades are likely to make Samsung Bio a more attractive partner for both emerging biotech startups and established pharmaceutical giants seeking reliable manufacturing solutions.
Moreover, the move demonstrates Samsung Biologics’ commitment to a diversified geographic footprint. While South Korea remains the core of its operations, a strong U.S. presence ensures the company can better manage global supply chain risks.
