Samsung Biologics opens $353 million Maryland biopharma campus

Samsung Biologics announced April 1 that it had officially closed a $353 million deal with GSK and taken ownership of its two human genome manufacturing facilities in Rockville, Maryland. The two sites will be Samsung Biologics’ first U.S. manufacturing location for producing contract-manufactured biopharmaceuticals. As part of the deal, Samsung also hired 500 GSK workers, who will continue to work at the site under new management.

In its original December 21 announcement, Samsung Biologics said it spend $280 million to purchase to purchase one plant and increase its production capacity for drug substance, but did not specify how much it would spend on the expansions or if it would hire any new workers. The decision to purchase the plants came eight months after Maryland governor Wes Moore led  trade delegation to Japan and South Korea to entice foreign direct investment in his state.

In a Wednesday ribbon-cutting ceremony, Samsung leadership said the expansion will increase the company’s U.S. footprint and noted Rockville’s geographic position near federal facilities and research institutions.

What people are saying

“This represents a meaningful step in expanding our U.S. manufacturing footprint. The addition of the Rockbille site strengthens our ability to operate a geographically diversified manufacturing network, and we are thrilled to officially welcome more than 500 colleagues at the site to the Samsung Biologics family,” said Samsung Biologics CEO John Rim. “The Rockville Team brings deep expertise and strong operational experience that will further strengthen the site as part of our global manufacturing network. As a CDMO, our mission is to help our partners bring important therapies to patients worldwide, and this site will play a pivotal role in that mission while ensuring continuity and upholding the high standards our clients expect.”

“During our international trade mission last year, we met with the Samsung Biologics team in Seoul to discuss the economic momentum in Maryland. Today’s ribbon cutting is the realization of that meeting and our state’s momentum,” said Gov. Moore. “South Korea’s largest biotech company is opening its first U.S. manufacturing facility here in Maryland. In the state of Maryland, we are delivering for our people and not playing for second.”

Manufacturers investing in Maryland

AstraZeneca to spend $2 billion on expanding Maryland biologics operations
The British pharmaceutical says it will expand its Frederick flagship factory and build a new molecule factory in Gaithersburg.

Hitachi opens new $100 million railcar plant in Maryland
The new factory will use monitoring systems and AI programs to monitor manufacturing processes, supplies, and energy use in real time.

AeroVironment opens $12.5M defense research and manufacturing facility in Maryland
The Germantown facility will help accelerate the development of next-generation defense technologies, including phased array antennas, perimeter security systems, and AI solutions.