How CDMO Samsung Biologics Became a Global Leader in Biopharmaceuticals
Over the last several years, Samsung Biologics has been on the rise as one of the most prominent CDMO companies in the world. But what exactly is a CDMO, and what makes Samsung Biologics the one to watch in 2021? Here’s everything you need to know about this transformative company and the CDMO industry as a whole.
What is a CDMO?
CDMO stands for contract development and manufacturing organization. These businesses operate in a range of industries but the term is most often used with reference to the pharmaceutical industry. CDMOs partner with pharmaceutical and biotech companies and augment or expand their capabilities. While manufacturing is one of the most important elements of these partnerships, CDMOs like Samsung Biologics will also support their partners in other ways, including biosafety testing and analytical services. .
CDMOs step in to help companies that have major goals for production and distribution but don’t have the means to accomplish those goals themselves. They contract with a CDMO like Samsung Biologics to help them do more and produce more life-saving drugs.
In the case of Samsung Biologics, they primarily work with companies in the biopharmaceutical space in developing and manufacturing drug products, treatments, and vaccines with their scale, speed, and flexibility. As one might imagine, the commitment to these unique values has made Samsung Biologics a top CDMO over the course of the last year, and that reputation is only going to continue to grow.
Major Announcements from a Leading CDMO
Over the course of 2020, Samsung Biologics experienced its most significant period of growth— including a record sales quarter in the 4th quarter of the year. In the first quarter of 2021, the company’s growth continued as well as a significant number of global partnerships.
Here are some of the most significant announcements from this promising CDMO as we head into the second half of 2021.
Moderna Partnership
In May 2021, Samsung Biologics announced a manufacturing services and supply agreement with Moderna, a biotechnology company pioneering mRNA therapeutics and vaccines, to provide large scale, commercial fill-finish manufacturing for mRNA-1273, Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.
“This vaccine is paramount to people around the world in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and we truly appreciate our client Moderna for entrusting and choosing to partner with Samsung Biologics for the fill and finish of this important vaccine,” said John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics. “Due to the high level of urgency in supplying the vaccine to the global population, we have set immediate action plans and schedule to make mRNA-1273 available for commercial distribution in the early second half of 2021.”
A New and Promising mRNA Vaccine Manufacturing Site
Vaccines have been at the forefront of science in ending the global COVID-19 pandemic. So it was with great excitement that the CDMO industry and the world at large received the news that Samsung Biologics was addingan advanced mRNA vaccine drug substance manufacturing capability to its existing facility by the first half of 2022.
“We are constantly assessing various ways that we can expand and diversify our current CDMO business portfolio to better serve the market,” said John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics. “We are committed to helping our clients provide quality treatments and vaccines to all those in need around the world, especially in difficult times like this, and with this extended capability, we hope to support our partners in bringing novel mRNA vaccines and therapeutics to market at a faster pace.”
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