Samsung Biologics has decided to establish Samsung Bioepis Holdings to completely separate its contract development and manufacturing for bio pharmaceuticals (CDMO) and biosimilar (generic biologics) business. Samsung Bioepis, which has focused on the biosimilar business for 13 years, is expected to fully accelerate new drug development centered around antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and gene therapies.
According to a disclosure from Samsung Biologics on the 22nd, Samsung Bioepis Holdings will be spun off from Samsung Biologics and newly listed on the stock market. The company will dominate Samsung Bioepis’s business, along with other bio new business subsidiaries. It plans to present a new bio vision for Samsung with an independent decision-making system.
Founded in 2012, Samsung Bioepis has developed 11 types of biosimilars and entered the global market. Last year, it recorded sales of 1.5377 trillion won and an operating profit of 435.4 billion won, achieving the largest results since its establishment.
Samsung Bioepis is planning to expand its biosimilar product lineup to more than 20 types to enhance its competitiveness. Along with this, it is expected to accelerate its new drug development business.
The company’s primary focus is on ADC anticancer drugs. ADC is a therapeutic technology that delivers drugs specifically to cancer cells by attaching them to antibodies. Consequently, the therapeutic effect is high and side effects are minimal. To develop ADC candidate substances, antibodies, payloads (drugs), and linkers to connect the two are required.
Previously, Samsung Bioepis entered into a joint research agreement for ADC development with domestic ADC development company IntoCell in December 2023. The contract outlines that it will receive IntoCell’s proprietary ADC linkers and drug technologies to develop up to five ADC candidate substances. Currently, the two companies are conducting preclinical studies, including animal testing, on some of the ADC candidate substances and are expected to enter human clinical trials as early as this year.
In addition, the company is conducting basic research to develop new gene therapies for rare diseases. It also plans to seek research and development (R&D) collaboration opportunities by investing in promising technologies through the Samsung Life Science Fund, which was created jointly by Samsung C&T, Samsung Biologics, and Samsung Bioepis.