Samsung Biologics Expands With $280M US Manufacturing Facility

Samsung Biologics enters US market with $280M Maryland site, boosting biomanufacturing capabilities and local presence.

December 23, 2025

Samsung Biologics will acquire a 420K SF Rockville, MD manufacturing campus from GSK for $280M, marking its first US-based production site.
The site acquisition helps Samsung mitigate geopolitical and tariff risks, while deepening its US operations and workforce footprint.
The move comes as GSK exits Maryland, despite a $30B US R&D commitment, and amid a regional slowdown in life sciences R&D.
Biomanufacturing remains a growth driver, with Maryland attracting billions in investment from major pharma players in 2025.

Key Takeaways

Samsung Sets US Manufacturing Roots

Samsung Biologics will buy a former Human Genome Sciences manufacturing campus in Rockville, Maryland, from GSK for $280M, reports Bisnow. The 420K SF facility at 9911 Belward Campus Drive will serve as the company’s first US manufacturing site. The acquisition is expected to close next quarter.

The move aligns with Samsung Biologics’ global expansion strategy and aims to ensure a stable supply of critical therapeutics. CEO John Rim called the acquisition “a testament to our unwavering commitment to advancing global healthcare.” The company plans to retain over 500 existing employees at the site.

A Strategic Pivot Amid Changing Tides

While Samsung’s press release emphasized long-term investment in US healthcare infrastructure, Korean media cited concerns about US trade policies—specifically tariffs—as a factor in establishing a domestic base.

GSK, meanwhile, appears to be shifting away from Maryland. After acquiring Human Genome Sciences in 2012, the British pharmaceutical firm is now shedding key Rockville assets. This includes a nearby 635K SF R&D facility it plans to vacate by mid-2026. GSK is increasing its presence in Cambridge, Massachusetts—one of the country’s leading biotech hubs.

A Win For Maryland’s Life Sciences Market

The entrance of Samsung Biologics offers a lifeline to Maryland’s life sciences sector. The industry has faced recent turbulence from VC pullbacks and federal budget cuts under the Trump administration.

However, industry leaders are optimistic about the region’s biomanufacturing potential. Companies like AstraZeneca, Merck, and Eli Lilly have announced multibillion-dollar investments in Maryland and Virginia in 2025 alone.

“Biomanufacturing is where capital is flowing,” said Matt Brown, VP at South Duvall, during a recent Bisnow summit.

Outlook

Samsung Biologics’ arrival underscores a broader trend toward manufacturing-led growth in the life sciences sector. As research funding ebbs and flows, high-value, production-focused facilities are gaining appeal. Proximity to federal agencies like NIH and FDA makes these sites more attractive to global pharma firms expanding in the US.

With 38K+ life sciences jobs and strong investment activity, Maryland remains a leading market for biomanufacturing expansion.