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Samsung Biologics has acquired its first US manufacturing facility, purchasing a former GlaxoSmithKline site in Maryland for $280 million. The move marks a significant geographic expansion for the South Korean contract development and manufacturing organization, or CDMO, and aligns with growing demand for biopharmaceutical production capacity closer to major end markets.

The facility, located in Rockville, previously operated under Human Genome Sciences before GSK acquired the biotech firm in 2012. With this acquisition, Samsung Biologics gains an established footprint in one of the US’ key biotech corridors.

Samsung Biologics said it intends to invest further in the plant to expand its 60,000-liter drug substance production capacity. The site will serve as a cornerstone in the company’s strategy to deepen its presence in North America and better support pharmaceutical clients seeking US-based manufacturing and supply chain security.

“This landmark acquisition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to advancing global healthcare and bolstering our manufacturing capabilities in the US,” said John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics. “The investment will enable us to deepen our collaboration with federal, state, and local stakeholders to best serve our customers and partners.”

Founded in 2011, Samsung Biologics has grown into one of the world’s leading CDMOs, operating the largest single-site biologics manufacturing plant by capacity in Songdo, South Korea. Until now, all of its commercial manufacturing operations were based in Asia. With the Maryland acquisition, the company enters the world’s largest pharmaceutical market with a physical production base.

The site currently includes bioreactors and support infrastructure capable of producing up to 60,000 liters of drug substance annually, with additional room for scale-up. Samsung Biologics plans to enhance the facility’s capabilities and integrate it into its global manufacturing and quality systems.

The move reflects broader industry trends. As demand for contract manufacturing services increases, top CDMOs are pursuing global diversification to meet client expectations around risk mitigation and localized supply. Clients are seeking to avoid disruptions stemming from trade instability or logistics constraints. Having a US presence gives Samsung Biologics more agility to support commercial-scale and clinical programs led by North American biotech sponsors.

John Rim emphasized the company’s mission “to achieve a better life through biomedicines,” noting that the Maryland site will also serve as a hub for innovation and talent acquisition. The acquisition includes plans to welcome experienced staff from the GSK site into the Samsung Biologics workforce.

The decision to locate in Maryland was strategic. The state is one of the United States’ leading life sciences clusters, home to more than 2,700 bioscience companies and several federal research institutions, including the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore praised the investment, noting it underscores the state’s appeal to global healthcare leaders. “We are thrilled that Samsung Biologics has selected Maryland for their first US manufacturing facility,” Moore said. “It is a testament to our state’s leadership in life sciences, our highly skilled workforce and the commitment of our private and public sector to advance patient health around the globe.”

The deal also reflects the impact of Maryland’s international economic outreach. During an Asia trade mission in 2025, state officials reportedly presented the region’s advantages to Samsung Biologics executives, helping to lay the groundwork for the eventual transaction.

Samsung’s arrival strengthens Maryland’s position as a biomanufacturing destination and adds another major CDMO player to its ecosystem. The plant’s proximity to research universities, federal agencies and other pharmaceutical companies is expected to facilitate collaborations and talent pipelines.

The global CDMO market is increasingly competitive, with major players investing heavily in infrastructure to serve growing biotech and pharmaceutical needs. Companies such as Lonza, Fujifilm Diosynth, Catalent and Thermo Fisher Scientific have all expanded their US operations in recent years to meet demand for biologics manufacturing.

CDMOs are also under pressure to provide flexible, scalable solutions in both early-stage and commercial programs. The rise of cell and gene therapies, along with a renewed focus on pandemic preparedness and supply chain resilience, has added urgency to domestic biomanufacturing strategies.

By acquiring an existing facility rather than building from scratch, Samsung Biologics accelerates its entry into the US and positions itself to compete for larger contracts from American drugmakers. US-based sponsors often prioritize domestic production when selecting manufacturing partners, particularly for government-funded or fast-tracked therapeutics.

Samsung Biologics’ expansion may also signal future growth in other global markets as it continues to position itself as a full-service partner for biologics development and production. Its US presence gives it a stronger foundation to pursue new partnerships and regulatory alignment.

Sources

Samsung Biologics