Samsung Biologics Bids $1.8 Billion to Acquire Swiss PolyPeptide Group

Strategic Expansion into Peptide Therapeutics

The acquisition represents the largest biopharmaceutical M&A deal in South Korea’s history. By integrating PolyPeptide’s specialized technology, Samsung Biologics intends to diversify its current portfolio, which has historically centered on large-scale antibody manufacturing and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). The move is a direct response to the explosive growth of the metabolic disease market, where peptide-based drugs—including the widely sought-after GLP-1 class—are becoming standard treatments for obesity and diabetes.

The acquisition reinforces our long-term growth strategy by broadening our service portfolio into peptides, including GLP-1 therapies, while further expanding our geographic reach across the United States, Europe and India, said Samsung Biologics CEO John Rim. He noted that the integration of PolyPeptide’s experienced workforce and specialized facilities will help the company evolve into an end-to-end multimodality platform.

Terms of the Tender Offer and Shareholder Support

Samsung Biologics has structured the transaction as an all-cash public tender offer, proposing a price of 44.31 Swiss francs per share. According to Investing.com, this offer represents a 6.1% premium over the company’s closing price on the Friday prior to the announcement. Other reports highlight that the offer reflects a 40% premium compared to the company’s unaffected share price before acquisition rumors began circulating in April.

The deal appears to have a clear path to completion, bolstered by the support of PolyPeptide’s board and its largest shareholder, Draupnir Holding. Draupnir, which is linked to Swedish billionaire Frederik Paulsen, holds a 55.65% stake in the Swiss firm and has already agreed to tender its shares. Samsung Biologics plans to initiate a squeeze-out process for the remaining minority shares once the acquisition is finalized, aiming to delist PolyPeptide from the SIX Swiss Exchange and transition it into a wholly owned subsidiary by the end of 2026.

Operational Momentum and Global Footprint

PolyPeptide brings significant operational assets to the merger. Headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, the company was spun off from pharmaceutical giant Ferring in 1996 and has produced over 1,000 therapeutic peptides. Its infrastructure includes facilities spanning Sweden, Belgium, France, the United States, and India.

The timing of the sale follows a period of strong financial performance for the Swiss manufacturer. According to TipRanks, PolyPeptide’s preliminary H1 2026 results showed a 41.6% revenue increase, with EBITDA margins rising to 20.7%. This growth was primarily driven by metabolic therapeutics and large pharma clients.

Market Reaction and Future Outlook

Despite the strategic logic of the acquisition, shares of Samsung Biologics experienced a slight decline following the announcement. Investors are now focused on the timeline for regulatory approvals and the remaining procedural steps. Finimize notes that with a majority shareholder already committed, the market’s primary focus has shifted from the question of Will shareholders say yes? to whether the company can successfully navigate the remaining closing conditions by the end of the year.

For Samsung Biologics, the acquisition is expected to significantly enhance its production capacity, which is currently centered in Songdo, South Korea. The company, which is currently operating five plants, has three additional facilities scheduled for completion by 2032, with the total annual production capacity projected to rise to 1.324 million liters upon their completion.

Sources: Investing, LINE TODAY.