Samsung Biologics is expanding its global reach and reinforcing its commitment to the U.S. biopharmaceutical market with a $280 million acquisition of a manufacturing facility in Rockville, Maryland. Announced on December 22, 2025, the strategic deal involves the full acquisition of the Human Genome Sciences (HGS) site from British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). This move marks the South Korean firm’s first direct entry into U.S. manufacturing operations and represents a pivotal step in its long-term growth strategy.
Located just outside Washington, D.C., the Rockville facility is well-established within the U.S. biotech corridor. It features two current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) plants, offering a combined drug substance production capacity of 60,000 liters. These facilities are expected to provide both clinical and commercial-scale manufacturing services, making them critical assets in Samsung Biologics’ growing global production network.
Company executives stated that the acquisition will enhance Samsung Biologics’ ability to serve its U.S. clients more directly, improve supply chain resilience, and support rapid responses to the increasing demand for biologics manufacturing. The acquisition aligns with broader industry trends in reshoring or regionalizing manufacturing capabilities to reduce geopolitical risk and logistical complexity in pharmaceutical supply chains. With the biotech sector under increasing pressure to ensure continuity and reliability in global drug production, Samsung’s strategic investment is both timely and forward-looking.
Samsung Biologics, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) based in Songdo, South Korea, has experienced rapid growth over the last decade. It is a key player in the global biopharmaceutical landscape, offering end-to-end development, manufacturing, and analytical services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms. The company has made several major capacity expansions in South Korea in recent years, including the construction of its massive “Plant 5,” which will bring the company’s total production capacity to over 784,000 liters when fully operational.
However, the acquisition of the Rockville site signals a new phase in Samsung Biologics’ globalization efforts. Establishing a U.S. manufacturing base not only puts the company closer to many of its largest clients—many of whom are headquartered in North America—but also enhances its ability to comply with U.S. regulatory requirements and streamline logistics for domestic clinical trials and commercial launches. U.S.-based production can also help alleviate concerns about import delays or regulatory hurdles that have affected global supply chains in recent years.
According to the company, additional investments are already planned to upgrade the Rockville facility, including improvements in process technology, digital integration, and sustainability measures. These upgrades are aimed at increasing production efficiency, flexibility, and compliance with evolving industry standards. Samsung Biologics emphasized that the plant will support both current and future customer projects, including next-generation biologics such as monoclonal antibodies, cell and gene therapies, and other advanced therapies.
The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Once finalized, the site will be operated by Samsung Biologics America, a subsidiary formed to lead the company’s North American operations. This localized leadership structure is expected to enhance collaboration with U.S.-based clients and partners.
The biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry has seen a surge of investment and expansion in recent years, driven by rising global demand for advanced therapies and increased outsourcing by major pharmaceutical companies. In this context, Samsung Biologics’ expansion into the U.S. aligns with its long-term goal of becoming the world’s leading CDMO by scale, innovation, and service quality.
Analysts view the acquisition as a strong strategic move that positions the company for continued growth in one of the world’s largest and most lucrative healthcare markets. By securing manufacturing capacity on U.S. soil, Samsung Biologics is also addressing a growing preference among clients for regional manufacturing hubs that reduce risk and increase responsiveness to local market needs.
As pharmaceutical firms continue to diversify supply chains and expand access to complex biologic medicines, Samsung Biologics’ move could serve as a model for other international CDMOs looking to deepen their U.S. engagement. The Rockville facility’s integration into the company’s global network is expected to contribute significantly to its future revenue and operational capabilities.
The deal also reflects a broader realignment within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, where consolidation, geographic diversification, and strategic investment in high-demand regions are becoming increasingly vital for long-term success.
