Samsung Biologics Launches $1.46 Billion Bid for PolyPeptide

Samsung Biologics has announced an agreement to acquire Swiss contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) PolyPeptide Group AG in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately CHF 1.46 billion (about $1.8 billion), a move that significantly expands the company’s presence in the rapidly growing peptide therapeutics market.

The South Korean biotechnology company said it will launch a public tender offer to acquire 100% of PolyPeptide’s fully diluted share capital, excluding treasury shares, offering CHF 44.31 per share to shareholders.

The proposed acquisition marks one of Samsung Biologics’ largest strategic investments to date and is expected to strengthen its position as a global multi-modality CDMO by adding specialized peptide manufacturing capabilities to its existing expertise in biologics and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

Under the terms of the offer, the purchase price represents a 40% premium to PolyPeptide’s unaffected closing share price before market speculation regarding a potential acquisition emerged in April 2026. It also represents an approximately 11.6% premium over the company’s 60-day volume-weighted average share price.

The transaction has already secured strong shareholder support. PolyPeptide’s Board of Directors, acting through its independent and non-conflicted members, has unanimously recommended that shareholders accept the offer. In addition, the company’s largest shareholder, which controls approximately 55.65% of outstanding shares, has irrevocably committed to tender its shares into the transaction.

The acquisition remains subject to customary closing conditions, including shareholder participation representing at least two-thirds of PolyPeptide’s fully diluted shares, regulatory approvals, and other conditions required under Swiss takeover regulations.

Samsung Biologics expects to formally launch the tender offer by the end of August 2026, with completion anticipated toward the end of 2026.

The acquisition significantly broadens Samsung Biologics’ manufacturing portfolio by adding peptide-based active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) development and production, one of the fastest-growing segments of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

Demand for peptide therapeutics has increased rapidly in recent years, driven largely by the success of GLP-1-based obesity and diabetes treatments, as well as expanding research into peptide medicines for oncology and other therapeutic areas.

PolyPeptide is regarded as one of the world’s leading peptide CDMOs, with more than 70 years of manufacturing experience and a history of producing over 1,000 therapeutic peptides. The company operates an integrated business model spanning research, process development, and commercial manufacturing.

Its global manufacturing network includes facilities in Sweden, Belgium, France, the United States, and India, along with its corporate headquarters in Switzerland and an innovation center in Strasbourg, France.

Samsung Biologics said the acquisition will allow it to combine its large-scale biologics manufacturing expertise with PolyPeptide’s specialized peptide technologies to create a comprehensive end-to-end CDMO platform capable of serving a broader range of pharmaceutical clients.

The company believes the combined business will be well positioned to meet increasing global demand for peptide-based medicines while expanding into additional therapeutic areas beyond metabolic diseases.

John Rim, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Samsung Biologics, said the acquisition aligns with the company’s long-term growth strategy.

“This acquisition reinforces our strategy by expanding our service portfolio into peptide therapeutics, including GLP-1 medicines, while also strengthening our geographic presence across the United States, Europe, and India,” Rim said.

He added that PolyPeptide’s experienced workforce, technical expertise, and global manufacturing network will complement Samsung Biologics’ existing operations and strengthen its position as a preferred manufacturing partner for the global biopharmaceutical industry.

Peter Wilden, Chairman of PolyPeptide’s Board of Directors, said the transaction represents both an attractive financial outcome for shareholders and a significant opportunity for the company’s future growth.

“Following a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives, the Board believes Samsung Biologics’ offer delivers immediate and compelling value for shareholders,” Wilden said. “At the same time, becoming part of Samsung Biologics provides an opportunity to accelerate our long-term ambitions on a scale we could not achieve independently.”

According to Samsung Biologics, the acquisition is intended to support the next phase of its global expansion by increasing manufacturing capacity, broadening its technology platform, and strengthening its presence in high-growth markets.

Following completion of the tender offer, Samsung Biologics plans to acquire any remaining minority shares through a squeeze-out process and subsequently delist PolyPeptide from the SIX Swiss Exchange, making the Swiss company a wholly owned subsidiary.

The transaction reflects the growing importance of peptide therapeutics within the pharmaceutical industry as drug developers continue investing heavily in obesity, diabetes, oncology, and other disease areas where peptide-based medicines are expected to play an increasingly important role.