Samsung BioLogics on future expansion: Novel biologics and new JVs, says CEO

Samsung BioLogics is both a contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), and in collaboration with Biogen, a major presence in the biosimilars development space.

Samsung Bioepis – a joint venture launched between Samsung and Biogen in 2012 – has developed a number of biosimilars for various markets. In Europe, for example, marketing authorisation holder Biogen has commercialised the joint venture’s biosimilar versions of J&J’s Remicade (infliximab)​ and Amgen’s Enbrel (etanercept)​ since 2016.

Just last week, Samsung Bioepis launched​ its third anti-TNF monoclonal antibody, Imraldi – a biosimilar version of AbbVie’s blockbuster Humira (adalimumab) – in Europe.

However, according to CEO TH Kim, Samsung BioLogics will eventually expand its development focus beyond the biosimilars market.

“We would like to become a leading biopharma company today, in biosimilars only. In the future, in novel biologics, as well as biosimilars,” ​said Kim at CPhI Worldwide this month.

Samsung Bioepis made its first steps​ in the novel biologics space in August last year, via a jointly funded collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. However, Samsung BioLogics is also open to new opportunities in this space – whether through a collaboration or solo venture, Kim told us.

“In addition to [the Takeda collaboration], we are looking for many partners, from global biopharma companies. Also, we think about our standalone discovery and development opportunities in novel biologics as well,” ​we were told.

“We can [also] think about new joint ventures…for new business fields,” ​he added.