Samsung Biologics Completes Acquisition of GSK's Rockville Plant, Total Capacity Rises to 845,000 L

The deal adds 60,000 L of drug substance capacity (2×20,000 L + 2×10,000 L bioreactors) and establishes the company's first US manufacturing presence. Once Songdo Bio Campus II is complete, total capacity will reach 1.385M L.

On March 31, Samsung Biologics announced the completion of its acquisition of a GSK manufacturing facility in Rockville, Maryland — the company's first US production site. The site comprises two cGMP plants with a combined 60,000 L of drug substance capacity (two 20,000 L and two 10,000 L bioreactors), supporting clinical and commercial biologics at multiple scales. With the addition, Samsung Biologics' total global capacity rises to 845,000 L.

Under the agreement, Samsung Biologics will continue supplying the products previously manufactured at the site to GSK while transitioning the site to additional contract manufacturing, with further investments planned to expand capacity and upgrade technologies. More than 500 site employees joined the company. CEO John Rim said: "The Rockville site strengthens our ability to operate a geographically diversified manufacturing network and offer flexible production options to global clients."

In Korea, the Songdo expansion continues: Plant 5 (180,000 L, fully automated) came online in 2025 with PPQ batches ramping, and a Plant 6 go/no-go decision is expected this year (adding another 180,000 L). Bio Campus II — Plants 5 through 8 — is slated for completion by 2032, bringing Songdo to 1.325M L and total capacity to 1.385M L. Samsung is also partnering with Eli Lilly on a Lilly Gateway Labs site at Bio Campus II — a 125,000 sq ft facility due in 2027 that will host up to 30 biotech companies.

Notably, management dismisses antibody overcapacity concerns: "Beyond monoclonals, multispecific antibodies are being actively developed, and the market is expanding across immune diseases, cancer, CNS and even anti-aging," the company said, arguing demand will keep growing.