Samsung Biologics to Produce mRNA Vaccine Bulk Material as Well

Expansion of Production Facilities Until 2022

Samsung Biologics Plant 3 Exterior (Photo by Samsung Biologics)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Samsung Biologics, which is in charge of contract manufacturing (CMO) of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, is expanding its business area to include the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines.

Samsung Biologics announced on the 31st that it will expand the mRNA vaccine API production facilities at its existing site in Songdo, Incheon, and complete preparations for current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) by the first half of 2022.

According to Samsung Biologics, this decision is part of expanding its business portfolio following its long-term goal of becoming a global integrated biopharmaceutical company. Samsung Biologics has been expanding production capacity to meet the rapidly growing market demand beyond the monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that the company is currently focusing on.

John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics, said, "We are continuously evaluating various ways to expand and diversify our current business portfolio to provide better services to the market," adding, "Through the expanded production capacity, we will support our partners in launching new mRNA vaccines and therapeutics to the market at a faster pace."

Once the facility expansion is completed, Samsung Biologics is expected to handle the entire process from production of mRNA vaccine APIs to aseptic filling, labeling, and packaging. Earlier, on the 23rd of this month, Samsung Biologics signed a contract for contract manufacturing of finished pharmaceutical products for Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine developed using the mRNA platform. This involves receiving the bulk drug substance and handling the final production stages such as aseptic filling, labeling, and packaging, but does not include direct production of the API.

For global expansion and portfolio diversification, Samsung Biologics opened a U.S. R&D center in the heart of the San Francisco bio-cluster. This enables the company to provide contract development services closer to biotech and pharmaceutical companies located in the region.

Meanwhile, Samsung Biologics is constructing its 4th plant in Incheon, Korea. A Samsung Biologics official emphasized, "Once the 4th plant is completed, we will have a total production capacity of 620,000 liters," adding, "We will be able to continuously provide end-to-end services, from start to finish, to our clients."