Samsung Biologics is making a major push into peptide-based medicines—widely used in weight-loss and diabetes therapies—through the planned acquisition of a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO).
In a regulatory filing on the 20th, Samsung Biologics announced that it signed an acquisition agreement with PolyPeptide Group for approximately 2.7 trillion won (CHF 1.46 billion). The company plans to finalize the deal by the end of December by purchasing the controlling shareholder’s stake and launching a tender offer to secure 100% ownership. The transaction marks the largest merger and acquisition (M&A) in South Korea’s pharmaceutical and biotechnology history.
Through the acquisition, Samsung Biologics intends to expand its service portfolio beyond its existing foundation in antibody therapeutics, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) into the rapidly expanding peptide market.
Peptides are chemical compounds composed of short chains of roughly 2 to 50 amino acids—the building blocks of proteins—that act as messengers transmitting hormones and signals between cells. Synthetic peptide therapeutics are engineered to target and treat various medical conditions.
Targeting the Booming GLP-1 Market
Headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, PolyPeptide Group was spun off in 1996 from the peptide manufacturing division of global pharmaceutical company Ferring. The rapid rise in global prescriptions for GLP-1 class diabetes and obesity drugs, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, has served as a primary growth driver for the specialized peptide CDMO market.
PolyPeptide Group brings a track record of participating in more than 1,000 peptide therapeutic development and manufacturing projects. It is widely recognized as an industry leader with top-tier capabilities in developing manufacturing processes for candidate drug substances.
The company also holds proprietary manufacturing technology that significantly reduces the reliance on organic solvents during peptide synthesis. This process lowers raw material costs to improve production efficiency while cutting chemical waste emissions for a more environmentally friendly footprint.
Additionally, Samsung Biologics expects the deal to strengthen its international operational presence across key hubs in Europe, the United States, and India. PolyPeptide Group currently operates six production and R&D centers across five countries, supported by a specialized workforce of roughly 1,500 employees.
"This acquisition is a strategic decision that encompasses all three of Samsung Biologics’ major growth pillars—production capacity, business portfolio, and global hubs," said John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics. "It will contribute significantly to enhancing both corporate value and shareholder value."
