Samsung Biologics launches record $1.8 billion bid for PolyPeptide, targeting obesity drug market The 2.7 trillion won acquisition gives Samsung Biologics a major foothold in peptide manufacturing and the fast-growing obesity and diabetes d
Samsung Biologics launches record $1.8 billion bid for PolyPeptide, targeting obesity drug market The 2.7 trillion won acquisition gives Samsung Biologics a major foothold in peptide manufacturing and the fast-growing obesity and diabetes drug market.
News Team News Team Published July 20, 2026 - 4:27 p.m.
Samsung Biologics’ headquarters in Songdo, Incheon NEWS1 Samsung Biologics is acquiring PolyPeptide, a global peptide contract development and manufacturing organization CDMO , for about 2.7 trillion won $1.8 billion — the largest acquisition in the local pharmaceutical and biotech industry.
The deal marks Samsung Biologics’ full-scale entry into the glucagon-like peptide-1 GLP-1 drug market, which sits at the center of obesity and diabetes treatment, and is aimed at further strengthening its position in the CDMO industry.
Samsung Biologics disclosed the acquisition of Swiss-based PolyPeptide in a regulatory filing Monday.
The company plans to acquire 100 percent of PolyPeptide through a purchase of shares from its largest shareholder combined with a public tender offer, with the deal expected to close by the end of the year.
Related Article Samsung Biologics union votes to leave pan-affiliate labor coalition Samsung Biologics, union to return to direct negotiations, but concerns grow of prolonged dispute Record high scrips for Mounjaro for weight loss raise concern that urgent medical cases will get left out The acquisition extends Samsung Biologics’ portfolio, built around antibody drugs, messenger ribonucleic acid and antibody-drug conjugates, into peptide medicines.
Through the acquisition, Samsung Biologics gains PolyPeptide’s manufacturing facilities, core technologies and skilled work force.
It will also secure production bases in Europe, the United States and India, bolstering its global supply chain.
PolyPeptide was spun off from Ferring Pharmaceuticals’ peptide manufacturing division in 1996.
It operates six manufacturing facilities and research and development centers across five countries.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, and GLP-1 drugs are among their best-known applications.
Global drugmakers have also been expanding peptide-based drug development for cancer, immune disorders and neurological diseases.
Samsung Biologics reportedly decided to pursue the acquisition in response to the rapidly growing obesity drug market.
Global investment banks project the worldwide obesity treatment market could reach as much as $150 billion by 2035.
PolyPeptide employs roughly 1,500 specialists and has completed more than 1,000 peptide therapeutic development and manufacturing projects.
The company holds industry-leading peptide production process technology and environmentally friendly manufacturing capabilities.
Samsung Biologics will also take over PolyPeptide’s existing CDMO contracts.
Samsung Biologics will consider further expanding production capacity as demand for peptide medicines grows.
“This acquisition is a strategic decision that strengthens our production capacity, business portfolio and global footprint,” said John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics.
“By combining the capabilities of the two companies, we will provide customers with a broader range of solutions and enhance our competitiveness in the global CDMO market.” PolyPeptide's board also said the deal would strengthen the company’s customer services and position in the peptide manufacturing industry.
“The addition of Samsung Biologics’ manufacturing capabilities and operational expertise will further strengthen both customer service and our competitive edge in the global peptide CDMO market,” said Peter Wilden, chair of PolyPeptide's board.
BY JEONG JAE-HONG [email protected] This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools.
It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor.
All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
merge industry drugs business acquisition pharmaceutical obesity samsung biologics
Peptides referenced: Tirzepatide, Glucagon, GLP-1.
Related reading: Samsung Biologics Acquires PolyPeptide Group for $1.8 Billion, Samsung Biologics Launches CHF 1.46B All-Cash Bid to Acquire PolyPeptide, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may also reduce binge eating - News-Medical, Samsung Biologics makes $1.8 billion all-cash offer for Switzerland's PolyPeptide Group.