[JPM 2026] Samsung Biologics Paves the Way for a 'Super-Gap' in Supply Chain: "We Must Lead Even Faster"

Samsung Takes the Main Stage at JPMHC on the 13th
AI-Driven Factory Automation
"Robot Adoption Expected to Accelerate"

"Competitors will eventually catch up. That's why we need to lead even faster."

John Lim, CEO of Samsung Biologics, made this statement at a press conference during the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference held in San Francisco, California, USA, on January 12 (local time).

John Lim, CEO of Samsung Biologics, is giving a corporate presentation at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference held on the 13th (local time) at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, California, USA. Samsung Biologics

He identified automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI) as the core pillars of achieving a "super-gap" in the supply chain. Pharmaceutical manufacturing is a conservative industry, so the transition to unmanned operations has been slower than in other sectors like semiconductors. However, he believes that the pace of process automation and the adoption of physical AI has recently accelerated more than expected. On January 6, he visited CES 2026, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition, to witness advancements in robotics firsthand. He remarked, "What I thought would take ten years might be possible in five." He also mentioned the robot ecosystem in which Samsung Group has invested, predicting rapid automation expansion starting with "easier segments" such as logistics and transport.

AI-driven Process Advancement for Proactive Issue Detection... Establishing Dual Hubs in Korea and the US Through the Acquisition of Rockville

Samsung Biologics is actively deploying AI in its manufacturing processes. John Lim explained, "We are advancing error and deviation reporting in process operations," adding, "For example, we are using AI to analyze usage cycles and the status data of key materials such as culture media and purification resins in order to improve bioreactor (cell culture) production efficiency." In simple terms, this means detecting early warning signals before process issues arise, reducing bottlenecks in culture and purification, and producing higher-quality active pharmaceutical ingredients more reliably from the same equipment.

Regarding the acquisition of the US production base in Rockville, he clarified, "Even though we now have a US plant, the main production is still in Korea. Songdo boasts an overwhelming production capacity of 785,000 liters, while Rockville is at about 60,000 liters. Its role is to provide customers with a US-based production option." He further explained, "We can increase production capacity in Rockville by an additional 20,000 to 40,000 liters."

He emphasized that the decision to acquire Rockville was based on a comprehensive assessment of the asset, price, scale, and operational risks. While many plants are available on the market, few met Samsung Biologics' preferences. Rockville was the best fit in terms of scale, location, and price. Most importantly, the fact that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a long-standing client, had operated the Rockville plant was a decisive factor.

John Lim highlighted that "standardization"-operating both manufacturing hubs to the same standards as quickly as possible-is key. He stated, "Our goal is to ensure identical, rapid, and approved production regardless of the site," emphasizing the importance of maintaining consistency in quality and speed while jointly operating the two sites.

Last Year: Spin-off, US Expansion, Organoid Launch... Strengthening the 'Pure-play CDMO' Identity

On January 13 (local time), John Lim also took the main stage at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference. There, he stated, "Despite increased global uncertainty in 2025, Samsung Biologics has maintained solid growth, completed the spin-off, launched Plant 5, and introduced organoids." He added, "Based on the Songdo Third Bio Campus site secured by the end of 2025 and the Rockville plant in Maryland, USA, we will continue to pursue growth toward becoming a global top-tier CDMO company in 2026."

John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics, is giving a corporate presentation at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference held on the 13th (local time) in San Francisco, California, USA. Samsung Biologics

The JP Morgan Healthcare Conference (JPMHC) is the world's largest pharmaceutical and biotech investment event, held every January in San Francisco. Since 2017, Samsung Biologics has been officially invited by the organizer, JP Morgan, for ten consecutive years to present at the main venue, the Grand Ballroom. Only 25 companies, selected from over 500 presenters, are given the opportunity to take the Grand Ballroom stage. As in the previous year, Samsung Biologics was scheduled on the second day alongside major global pharmaceutical companies such as GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), AstraZeneca (AZ), and Eli Lilly.

In his presentation, John Lim first highlighted the completion of the spin-off as a major achievement in the previous year. In May, Samsung Biologics announced a plan to spin off its investment division, which managed its biosimilar subsidiary Samsung Bioepis, to establish Samsung Epis Holdings. At an extraordinary shareholders' meeting in October, the spin-off plan was approved by an overwhelming 99.9% majority, and the spin-off was completed in November.

John Lim emphasized, "Through this spin-off, Samsung Biologics has transformed into a 'pure-play CDMO.' By resolving previously raised business risks and focusing on our core CDMO business, we have laid the foundation for further strengthening our order competitiveness."

Since the spin-off, Samsung Biologics has accelerated the expansion of its "three pillars": production capacity, portfolio, and global presence. In particular, in December of last year, the company announced the acquisition of a biopharmaceutical production facility in Rockville, Maryland, securing its first US-based manufacturing hub. This enables Samsung Biologics to proactively respond to global uncertainties and, with a multi-site manufacturing system spanning Korea and the US, to meet customer needs more flexibly and quickly.

In terms of portfolio, the company has achieved results such as securing the site for the Third Bio Campus to build multi-modality production facilities for antibody-drug conjugates (AXC), antibody vaccines, and cell and gene therapies (CGT); launching the Samsung Organoids service; and operating a dedicated facility for antibody-drug conjugates (ADC).

Regarding production capacity expansion, in April of last year, the company began full-scale operation of Plant 5, with a capacity of 180,000 liters. Recently, a 1,000-liter bioreactor was added to Plant 2, increasing total production capacity in Songdo (Plants 1-5) to 785,000 liters. Including the 60,000 liters at the Rockville plant acquired in December, Samsung Biologics' total global production capacity is expected to reach 845,000 liters.