Samsung Biologics to Acquire Swiss Drugmaker PolyPeptide for $1.8 Billion in All-Cash Deal

Samsung Biologics Co. has agreed to acquire Swiss contract manufacturer PolyPeptide Group AG for approximately $1.8 billion in an all-cash deal, marking the largest overseas acquisition in South Korean biopharmaceutical history. The transaction, priced at 44.31 Swiss francs per share, aims to expand Samsung Biologics' capabilities into the rapidly growing peptide therapeutics market to capture surging demand for GLP-1 obesity and diabetes treatments. Supported by PolyPeptide's board and its majority shareholder, Draupnir Holding, the deal is expected to close by the end of 2026.

Samsung Biologics acquisition of PolyPeptide

• ▪The acquisition of PolyPeptide Group AG represents the largest biopharmaceutical merger and acquisition deal in South Korea's history.
• ▪Samsung Biologics Co. agreed to acquire Switzerland's PolyPeptide Group AG in an all-cash deal valuing the contract drugmaker's equity at approximately 1.46 billion Swiss francs ($1.8 billion).

Peptide therapeutics market expansion

• ▪The global peptide therapeutics market was valued at $140.9 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach up to $294.6 billion by 2033.
• ▪Samsung Biologics Co. aims to expand its capabilities beyond antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates into peptide therapeutics to capture surging demand for obesity and diabetes treatments.

Deal structure terms

• ▪Samsung Biologics Co. is offering CHF 44.31 per share for PolyPeptide Group AG, representing a 6.1% premium over the last closing price and approximately a 40% premium to PolyPeptide's undisturbed share price of CHF 31.65 on April 10, 2026.
• ▪Samsung Biologics Co. intends to buy out remaining minority shareholders and delist PolyPeptide Group AG from the SIX Swiss Exchange following the transaction.

Shareholder approval support

• ▪PolyPeptide Group AG's largest shareholder, Draupnir Holding, which owns approximately 55.65% of the company, has agreed to tender its shares.
• ▪PolyPeptide Group AG's board of directors unanimously recommended that shareholders accept the acquisition offer.

Global CDMO manufacturing footprint

• ▪Samsung Biologics Co. operates 785,000 liters of manufacturing capacity in Incheon, South Korea, and recently acquired a 60,000-liter facility in Rockville, Maryland.
• ▪PolyPeptide Group AG operates six manufacturing and development facilities across Switzerland, Belgium, France, the United States, and India.

Regulatory approval timeline

• ▪The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory clearances, and securing at least a two-thirds acceptance rate from PolyPeptide Group AG shareholders.
• ▪Samsung Biologics Co. plans to launch the formal public tender offer by the end of August 2026 and expects to close the deal by the end of 2026.