Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940) has announced plans to acquire Swiss peptide manufacturer PolyPeptide in a deal worth approximately $1.8 billion, marking a landmark moment for South Korean biopharma.
The transaction is described as the largest takeover in the history of South Korea’s biopharmaceutical industry, reflecting the sector’s growing global ambitions.
Under the terms of the offer, PolyPeptide shareholders will receive CHF 44.31, equivalent to $55.17, in cash per share upon completion.
PolyPeptide’s Board of Directors has reviewed the tender offer and unanimously recommended that shareholders accept it, according to Samsung Biologics.
The deal is expected to close by the end of 2026, coinciding with a broader surge in demand for peptide-based therapeutics including GLP-1 treatments for diabetes and obesity.
PolyPeptide operates active pharmaceutical ingredient sites in India, France, Belgium, and Sweden, as well as two facilities in California, giving Samsung a substantial manufacturing footprint.
The Swiss company, which was spun out from Ferring Pharmaceuticals 30 years ago, employs roughly 1,400 people across its global operations.
PolyPeptide reported revenue of 389 million euros in 2025, a figure that represents a 16% increase over the previous year, underscoring the company’s strong commercial momentum.
“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,” said John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics.
Separately, the acquisition comes as the US pharmaceutical supply chain faces significant disruption from new tariff proposals targeting generic drug imports.
President Trump announced tariffs on generic drugs entering the United States, with rates rising to 100% after two years and reaching as high as 200% thereafter.
The White House has framed the policy as a push to relocate pharmaceutical production back to the United States, with initial Section 232 tariffs focusing on branded medicines.
However, generics manufacturers, who supply the vast majority of US prescriptions, are expected to feel the pressure as the tariff regime broadens over time.
Analysts warn that tariffs of up to 200% on generic medicines could prove more disruptive to patients and healthcare systems than earlier levies placed on branded pharmaceuticals.