Samsung Biologics announced its intention to acquire Swiss peptide CDMO PolyPeptide for approximately $1.8 billion. The offer values each share at CHF 44.31, and PolyPeptide’s board has unanimously recommended acceptance. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2026, giving Samsung a foothold…
Samsung Biologics, the South Korean biopharmaceutical giant, has announced plans to acquire PolyPeptide, a Swiss contract development and manufacturing organization CDMO that specializes in peptide production. The transaction is valued at approximately US$1.8 billion. Under the terms of the offer, shareholders of PolyPeptide will receive CHF 44.31 per share, which equates to $55.17 in cash. According to a media release from Samsung, the board of directors of PolyPeptide has reviewed the tender offer and has unanimously recommended that shareholders accept it. The two companies expect to complete the transaction by the end of 2026.
PolyPeptide is a well-known manufacturer in the peptide therapeutics space, serving as a CDMO for a range of clients. This acquisition marks a significant move by Samsung Biologics to broaden its manufacturing capabilities beyond traditional biologics into the high-growth area of peptide-based drugs. The deal is part of Samsung’s multimodality strategy, which aims to offer a diverse portfolio of drug development and manufacturing services to its clients.
The acquisition is driven in large part by Samsung Biologics’ interest in the rapidly expanding GLP-1 therapeutics market. GLP-1 medications, used primarily for treating obesity and type-2 diabetes, have experienced a surge in popularity recently. Many large pharmaceutical companies are actively seeking to capture a larger share of this lucrative market. By acquiring PolyPeptide, Samsung Biologics will gain the ability to manufacture peptide therapeutics, including GLP-1 drugs, and thus directly compete in this space.
In addition to entering the GLP-1 market, the acquisition aligns with Samsung’s broader goal of expanding into new disease areas. The company plans to leverage PolyPeptide’s specialized expertise in peptide chemistry and manufacturing while integrating it with its own global manufacturing scale. This combination is intended to create a differentiated, multimodality CDMO platform that can serve clients across multiple therapeutic modalities. The deal also boosts Samsung’s geographic reach. The company noted that the acquisition will increase its proximity to clients in the United States, Europe, and India, allowing for better service and faster turnaround times.
John Rim, chairman of the board of directors and CEO of Samsung Biologics, commented on the strategic rationale in the public release. “This acquisition reinforces our long-term growth strategy by not only broadening our service portfolio with modality expansion into peptides including GLP-1, but by also boosting our geographic reach and proximity further within the US, Europe, and India,” he said. Rim emphasized the value of PolyPeptide’s workforce and capabilities, adding, “We highly value PolyPeptide’s world-class employees, industry-leading capabilities, and global operational footprint, and look forward to leveraging the complementary strengths of PolyPeptide and Samsung Biologics in our continued growth supporting clients as the CDMO of choice for decades to come.”
Peter Wilden, chairman of PolyPeptide’s board of directors, also expressed strong support for the acquisition. “After a comprehensive review of strategic options, the Board is convinced that Samsung Biologics’ offer is compelling for our shareholders, delivering an attractive cash price and immediate, certain value today,” he said in a statement. Wilden further characterized the deal as a transformative opportunity for PolyPeptide. “At the same time, it represents a transformational opportunity to accelerate our strategic ambitions at a scale we could not reach alone,” he said, noting that the combination would create “a stronger global partner for customers and a platform uniquely positioned to lead the next phase of growth in peptide-based therapeutics.”
The unanimous recommendation by PolyPeptide’s board underscores confidence in the deal’s value for shareholders and its potential to enhance the company’s long-term prospects. The offer provides shareholders with immediate cash value at a premium, while the combined entity is expected to have greater resources and capabilities to compete in the evolving biopharmaceutical landscape.
Samsung Biologics’ move into the peptide space follows broader industry trends. Many companies have been strengthening their presence in the GLP-1 and peptide therapeutic area through facility builds and expansions. Earlier in 2026, Eli Lilly committed to a $3.5 billion build in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, to boost its manufacturing capacity for GLP-1 drugs and other therapeutics. Novo Nordisk, another major player in the obesity and diabetes market, has also been expanding its network. The company has committed to expansions in Clayton, North Carolina, and Athlone, Ireland, to increase production of its own GLP-1 medications.
These investments reflect the intense competition and high demand for GLP-1 therapies, which have become blockbuster drugs for conditions like obesity and type-2 diabetes. By acquiring PolyPeptide, Samsung Biologics positions itself to capture a share of this growing market, offering its clients an integrated CDMO solution that includes peptide manufacturing alongside its existing large-molecule capabilities. The combined entity will have a global operational footprint that spans multiple continents, allowing it to serve customers more effectively and respond to regional demand.
The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Both companies expressed optimism that the transaction will be completed by the end of 2026, as planned. Once finalized, Samsung Biologics will have significantly expanded its service offerings, moving further into the multimodality CDMO space and strengthening its position in the global biopharmaceutical manufacturing market.
Peptides referenced: GLP-1.
Related reading: Samsung Biologics Expands Peptide Capacity to Lead Obesity Drug CDMO, Bachem Invests Over CHF 500 Million in New Peptide Facility in Sisslerfeld, Bachem Plans 2030 Commercial Production at Sisslerfeld Peptide Site, Samsung Biologics Offers $1.8 Billion for Swiss Peptide CDMO PolyPeptide.