Samsung Biologics Enters US Market... Opens R&D Center in San Francisco (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Samsung Biologics is entering the U.S. market by opening a Contract Development Organization (CDO) research and development (R&D) center in San Francisco, the largest biotech cluster in the United States. This marks the company's first overseas expansion since its founding in 2010. Next year, it plans to expand to the U.S. East Coast and Europe.

On the 29th, Kim Tae-han, CEO of Samsung Biologics, held an online press conference and stated, "We have established a base in the birthplace of the biotech industry, where over 2,500 global biotech companies are concentrated." The center covers approximately 612,000 pyeong (about 2 million square meters).

San Francisco is Samsung Biologics' first overseas location. It is home to more than 2,500 companies, including Genentech, the world's top biotech company, and multinational pharmaceutical firms such as Amgen and Merck. CEO Kim explained, "Not only existing clients but also potential customers are densely located here, and considering the time difference, smooth communication with our headquarters in Songdo, Incheon is possible."

Through the opening of this center, Samsung Biologics aims to shorten the distance to its clients and provide prompt services, aspiring to become a 'next door' CDO partner. Kim said, "The San Francisco center is equipped with the latest service platform from our headquarters. It offers 'one-stop' support for cell line development, preclinical and clinical sample production, enabling seamless linkage from early clinical material development to commercial material production."

Starting with San Francisco on the U.S. West Coast, Samsung Biologics plans to expand to the U.S. East Coast (Boston) and Europe next year. Kim stated, "Since there is high demand especially in France, Switzerland, and Germany, we plan to open a center in Western Europe immediately after expanding to the U.S. East Coast next year."

Expansion into China is also under consideration. Kim said, "China is close in distance and has no time difference, and biotech companies are rapidly increasing, so we plan to enter China following the U.S. and Europe."

Recognized as a global top Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO), Samsung Biologics aims to become the world's leading company in the CDO sector by 2025, using its U.S. expansion as a stepping stone. Kim said, "Starting with our first overseas research center, we will become the global champion in CDO by 2025. Additionally, we will develop our Contract Research Organization (CRO), which started this year, to world-class levels, evolving into a company capable of one-stop CMO-CDO-CRO services."