Samsung Biologics to Acquire PolyPeptide in All-Cash Deal, Expanding Global Manufacturing
Strategic investment to propel Samsung Biologics' long-term growth strategy spanning portfolio, geography, and capacity. PolyPeptide's specialized peptide expertise and global multi-site network to strengthen Samsung Biologics' multi-modality and global manufacturing excellence.
Samsung Biologics announced the launch of an all-cash public tender offer to acquire 100% of the fully diluted share capital of PolyPeptide Group, a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in peptide-based active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
Under the terms of the offer, PolyPeptide shareholders will receive CHF 44.31 in cash for each PolyPeptide share, representing an implied equity value of approximately CHF 1.46 billion. The transaction is expected to be completed towards the end of 2026, subject to customary offer conditions, including a minimum acceptance threshold of 66⅔%, applicable regulatory approvals, and other conditions.
After a comprehensive strategic review, PolyPeptide's independent Board of Directors unanimously recommends that shareholders accept Samsung Biologics' tender offer, calling it an attractive outcome that positions the company for growth within Samsung's global CDMO platform.
The deal expands Samsung Biologics beyond antibodies and ADCs into peptide therapeutics, one of biopharma's fastest-growing segments amid surging demand for obesity treatments like GLP-1 therapies. By combining Samsung's manufacturing scale with PolyPeptide's expertise—built over 70 years and 1,000+ peptides produced—the companies aim to create an end-to-end, multi-modality CDMO platform serving clients across obesity, diabetes, oncology, and other emerging therapeutic areas.
The planned acquisition extends beyond adding capacity; it lays the foundation for Samsung Biologics' next phase of growth, supported by a strong pipeline of active peptide projects that includes a deep late-stage portfolio. PolyPeptide operates global sites across Sweden, Belgium, France, the United States, India, together with a corporate office in Switzerland and a separate Innovation Center in Strasbourg, France, with capabilities encompassing R&D, development, and commercial manufacturing.
Upon completion of the transaction, Samsung Biologics will bring together PolyPeptide's highly experienced team and specialized peptide expertise, further enhancing its capabilities. By combining the companies' scientific strengths, manufacturing excellence, and global operations, the transaction is expected to enhance operational excellence, unlock additional growth opportunities, and further strengthen Samsung Biologics' position as a leading global multi-modality CDMO.
"This acquisition reinforces our long-term growth strategy by not only broadening our service portfolio with modality expansion into peptides including GLP-1, but by also boosting our geographic reach and proximity further within the US, Europe, and India," said John Rim, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Samsung Biologics. "We highly value PolyPeptide's world-class employees, industry-leading capabilities, and global operational footprint, and look forward to leveraging the complementary strengths of PolyPeptide and Samsung Biologics in our continued growth supporting clients as the CDMO of choice for decades to come."
"PolyPeptide was built on the dedication of our employees, deep scientific expertise and strong customer focus. After a comprehensive review of strategic options, the Board is convinced that Samsung Biologics' offer is compelling for our shareholders, delivering an attractive cash price and immediate, certain value today," said Peter Wilden, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PolyPeptide. "At the same time, it represents a transformational opportunity to accelerate our strategic ambitions at a scale we could not reach alone – creating a stronger global partner for customers and a platform uniquely positioned to lead the next phase of growth in peptide-based therapeutics."
Samsung Biologics' tender offer—conditioned on two-thirds shareholder acceptance and regulatory approvals—is expected to launch by the end of August 2026, run for at least twenty trading days on the SIX Swiss Exchange, and, if successful, lead to a squeeze-out and delisting that would make PolyPeptide a wholly owned subsidiary.
