Samsung Biologics has secured its first domestic biologics manufacturing site in the US by acquiring Human Genome Sciences from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
The deal is valued at $280m and expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Under the agreement, Samsung Biologics will have full ownership of the Rockville, Maryland biopharmaceutical manufacturing site previously operated by GSK.
The facility, located in the heart of one of the nation’s key life sciences clusters, comprises two current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) plants.
The plants support commercial and clinical biologics manufacturing, with a combined 60,000 litres of drug substance production capacity.
Samsung Biologics currently operates major manufacturing campuses in Songdo, South Korea, and has been expanding capacity to meet rising demand for cell and gene therapies, multispecific antibodies, mRNA therapeutics, and other advanced modalities.
“This marks an important step forward in our mission to achieve a better life through biomedicines,” said John Rim, CEO and President of Samsung Biologics.
Samsung’s expanding global footprint
The company has said it will keep current operations on the US-based site in place and retain more than 500 existing employees.
Biologics industry observers note that international firms are increasingly choosing Maryland for new or expanded facilities, drawn by its skilled workforce and proximity to major academic and research institutions.
Samsung Biologics is planning to make additional investments at the Rockville site to expand capacity and upgrade the technology.
GSK future plans
Although GSK is divesting from the manufacturing unit, the company said it will continue to invest heavily in R&D and production in the US.
GSK has announced plans to invest $30bn in R&D and manufacturing in the US over the next five years, with a new $1.2bn investment announced in September in manufacturing, AI and advanced digital technologies.