News Article

Samsung Biologics, a leading South Korean CDMO that provides integrated services from discovery to commercial production, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Swiss listed PolyPeptide Group in a deal valuing the company at CHF 1.46bn (€1.57bn).

PolyPeptide is a Swiss based specialist contract manufacturer of peptide based active pharmaceutical ingredients used by major pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms globally.

The purchase price represents a 40 per cent premium over the undisturbed closing price recorded on 10 April 2026, which was the final trading day before market rumours of a potential takeover emerged.

The acquisition is expected to be finalised by the end of 2026, subject to a minimum acceptance threshold of two thirds of shares and necessary regulatory approvals.

For healthcare investors, this move marks the largest merger and acquisition deal in the history of the South Korean biopharmaceutical sector. Strategically, the acquisition allows Samsung Biologics to expand beyond its core expertise in large molecule antibodies and antibody drug conjugates into the high growth peptide market. This segment is currently experiencing a surge in demand driven by metabolic therapies, particularly glucagon like peptide 1 agonists used to treat obesity and diabetes.

The deal also significantly enhances the global footprint of Samsung Biologics by adding six manufacturing sites across Europe, India, and the United States.