Samsung Biologics to establish first U.S. manufacturing base in Maryland
ROCKVILLE, MD—In a major win for Maryland’s life sciences sector, Governor Wes Moore announced this week that South Korea-based Samsung Biologics will open its first United States manufacturing facility in Rockville. The move follows a strategic international trade mission led by the Governor earlier this year to strengthen economic ties with East Asian tech leaders.
Samsung Biologics, the world’s largest contract drug manufacturer, has reached an agreement to acquire a manufacturing campus in Rockville from GSK for $280 million. The facility will serve as a cornerstone for the company’s expansion into the American market, providing a localized hub for the production of critical biologic medicines.
Strengthening the Global Supply Chain
The acquisition secures a site that currently houses two high-standard manufacturing plants with a combined capacity of 60,000 liters. Samsung Biologics plans to not only maintain the current production of existing medicines but also invest in significant technology upgrades and capacity expansions.
By establishing a footprint in Maryland, the company aims to create a more resilient supply chain for life-saving therapeutics, offering clinical and commercial production capabilities on U.S. soil.
Economic Impact and Job Retention
A primary component of the agreement is the preservation of Maryland’s specialized workforce. Samsung Biologics has committed to:
- Retaining more than 500 existing jobs at the Rockville site.
- Creating additional high-skilled positions as production capacity grows.
- Generating new opportunities for local Maryland suppliers.
Governor Moore noted that the deal is a testament to the state’s highly skilled workforce and its status as a premier global bio-cluster. The announcement builds on a record year for Maryland’s biopharmaceutical industry, which recently saw a $2 billion investment from AstraZeneca and the arrival of several other international firms.
Strategic Location in the I-270 Tech Corridor
Montgomery County officials emphasized that Rockville’s proximity to federal institutions like the FDA and the NIH makes it an ideal location for global companies navigating complex regulatory environments. County Executive Marc Elrich described the investment as a robust endorsement of the local ecosystem, which relies on a combination of talent, diversity, and public-private partnerships.
The transition is expected to be finalized following the formal close of the acquisition, with Samsung Biologics integrating the Rockville campus into its global network that already spans five major plants in South Korea.
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