GSK and Samsung Enter into Agreement for Increased Manufacturing Capacity

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Samsung Biologics announced on May 21, 2020 that they have entered into a partnership worth more than $231 million to provide GSK with added capacity to manufacture and supply its biopharmaceutical therapies.

Under the agreement, Samsung will provide additional space for the large-scale biopharmaceutical product manufacturing of Benlysta (belimumab), GSK’s biologic therapeutic for lupus, according to a GSK press release. Technology transfer will begin in 2020, and the first commercial supply is expected in 2022. The agreement will expand to additional specialty-care products in the future, the press release said.

“Today’s agreement with Samsung Biologics complements and reinforces our existing world-class pharmaceutical manufacturing capability and will help ensure we can continue to deliver the transformative medicines that patients need,” said Regis Simard, president, Pharmaceuticals Supply Chain, GSK, in the press release.

“We are very proud and excited to announce this long-term agreement with GSK,” added Dr. Tae Han Kim, CEO of Samsung Biologics, in the press release. “Samsung Biologics entered the biopharma industry with the goal to help our clients bring valuable biological medicines to patients faster. We are thrilled to partner with GSK, a company who shares the vision.”

Source: GSK