Samsung Biologics will add mRNA manufacturing capabilities to its Songdo, Korean plant by the first half of 2022.

Millie Nelson, Editor

June 7, 2021

1 Min Read
Samsung Biologics adding mRNA capabilities at Korean facility
Image: iStock/bedo

The CDMO will add mRNA manufacturing capabilities to its Songdo plant by the first half of 2022.  

Through adding messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine drug substance production capability to its Songdo facility, Samsung Biologics will be able to provide end-to-end mRNA services.  

The contract development manufacturing organization (CDMO) has not disclosed any financial details and a spokeswoman for Samsung Biologics told BioProcess Insider “It would be rather difficult for us to disclose the equipment, skills and financials as the technology’s very new and such information is directly related our competitiveness.”  

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Image: iStock/bedo

She continued: “What we can say on our hiring stance is that we continue to monitor market trends to review not just mRNA facility but various modality expansions as well as hiring needs from many angles.”  

According to the firm, the additional capabilities are part of the company’s long-term strategy to become a “fully integrated global biopharmaceutical company […] beyond its current business focused on monoclonal antibodies (mAb).” 

mRNA has been a popular choice of technology for various COVID-19 vaccines, including Pfizer/BioNTechCureVac, and Moderna.  

From the third quarter, Samsung Biologics will carry out aseptic fill/finish, labeling, and packaging services to support the production of hundreds of millions of doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for the supply of markets outside the US. 

However, the firm said the drug substance expansion is not related to this deal: “Samsung Biologics’ mRNA DS capacity build was already planned as part of their growth plan, and is not taking place to serve Moderna.”  

About the Author(s)

Millie Nelson

Editor, BioProcess Insider

Journalist covering global biopharmaceutical manufacturing and processing news and host of the Voices of Biotech podcast.

I am currently living and working in London but I grew up in Lincolnshire (UK) and studied in Newcastle (UK).

Got a story? Feel free to email me at [email protected]

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