Plant 6 decision expected by year-end as CDMO leader expands global footprint
SAN DIEGO – Samsung Biologics, a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), is set to establish its first official European sales office in Amsterdam, marking another strategic step in its global expansion.
The new European sales office is slated to open in the third quarter of this year, as announced by John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics, during a press conference held Tuesday on the sidelines of the BIO International Convention in San Diego.
Rim emphasized the strategic location, stating, “Located at the center of Europe, the Dutch site offers high accessibility from Korea, making it the most fitting foothold for our business activities.”
This expansion follows the establishment of overseas sales offices in New Jersey in 2023 and Tokyo in 2025. With the addition of the new Dutch facility, Samsung Biologics will have solidified its sales presence across three of the world’s largest biopharmaceutical markets.
According to global market analysis from Frost & Sullivan, the U.S. held 52 percent of the world’s total biopharmaceutical products market in 2025, with Europe following at 20 percent and the Asia-Pacific region at 19 percent.
Rim also stated that plans for Plant 6, Samsung Biologics’ sixth manufacturing facility, are expected to be finalized before the end of this year, driven by continuous order intake. This new facility is slated for construction at the company’s Bio Campus 2 in Songdo, Incheon.
“While we are preparing to break ground for our Bio Campus 3, we are currently reviewing the optimal plant to construct first in terms of portfolio strategy,” he added. “Coupled with the Rockville site and the upcoming Plant 6, we are steadily increasing our overall manufacturing capacity.”
Earlier this year, the CDMO finalized the acquisition of a biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Rockville, New Jersey, in March. This strategic move adds an additional 60,000 liters of drug substance capacity to its existing 785,000-liter capacity in Songdo, elevating Samsung Biologics’ total production capacity to 845,000 liters. The $280 million agreement to acquire GSK’s Rockville plant was initially announced last December, a decision influenced by the evolving landscape of US tariff policies.
The CEO further elaborated on the Rockville facility, stating, “We are actively considering the extent of capacity expansion needed at the Rockville site, potentially adding up to 40,000 liters. With tariffs remaining a significant concern, maintaining a robust presence in the U.S. market is highly advantageous for us.”
Samsung Biologics emphasized that it is exploring various options for expanding its global footprint, viewing this as a critical component of its long-term growth strategy. The company is also evaluating potential merger and acquisition (M&A) scenarios to foster synergy with the newly acquired Rockville facility.
Despite these ongoing expansions, Samsung Biologics has maintained its annual guidance, projecting a growth rate of between 15 and 20 percent for this year, as the company anticipates continued strong earnings performance.
Addressing questions regarding the ongoing compensation dispute between management and the labor union, the Samsung Biologics CEO acknowledged the situation introduces an element of uncertainty but affirmed that it does not impact the CDMO’s operational continuity or supply commitments to clients.
Rim further explained, “We proactively keep our clients informed about the negotiation process with the labor union, ensuring there are no issues regarding our services.” He also noted that a significant increase in wages could potentially impact Samsung Biologics’ competitive edge in the market.
As of now, Samsung Biologics and its labor union have not yet finalized a wage agreement. The union’s inaugural full-scale strike in May reportedly resulted in an estimated cost of approximately 150 billion won ($97 million) for the company. Workers have since continued a work-to-rule campaign.
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