Samsung Biologics (207940.KS) has appointed a chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) specialist to head its U.S. subsidiary. The move is seen as targeting process optimization and capacity expansion at the recently acquired U.S. production facility. The appointment is expected to accelerate plans to expand the current 60,000-liter Rockville plant to up to 100,000 liters.
According to industry sources on Thursday, Samsung Biologics recently named Senior Vice President Jin Yong-hwan, who had been heading the C-T/F division, as the new CEO of Samsung Biologics America. Jin moved from his previous role overseeing MSAT operations in the fourth quarter of last year, a preemptive step interpreted as preparation for his U.S. assignment.
Samsung Biologics America completed its acquisition of GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) biopharmaceutical production facility in Rockville, Maryland, on March 31 (local time). The closure came approximately three months after the acquisition agreement was signed late last year. The deal was valued at $280 million, or approximately 420 billion won. The facility marks Samsung Biologics' first production base in the United States.
The appointment reflects Jin's accumulated expertise in MSAT within the CMC field, analysts said. MSAT, or Manufacturing Science and Technology, refers to the process of optimizing production technologies for biopharmaceuticals developed by clients to suit contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) operations. Jin joined Samsung Biologics in 2017 and held positions including CLD part leader, CDO development team leader, DP head, and MSAT head, building deep expertise in the area.
Notably, Jin spent 10 years as a researcher at global pharmaceutical company GSK before joining Samsung Biologics. GSK is the entity that sold the Rockville plant to Samsung Biologics. His familiarity with the local operations is seen as making him a fitting choice for the U.S. leadership role.
Drawing on this experience, post-acquisition integration work — including process capability optimization at the Rockville plant — is expected to gain momentum. Samsung Biologics inherited existing biopharmaceutical production contracts at the facility and retained all approximately 500 local employees who possess operational experience and specialized expertise.
Samsung Biologics is reviewing additional investments, including capacity expansion, in light of medium- to long-term demand and utilization conditions. CEO John Rim said at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference (JPMHC) in January that the 60,000-liter Rockville plant could be expanded to up to 100,000 liters.