Samsung Biologics announced a shareholder-approved split of its business divisions, positioning itself as a pure-play contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). The move, passed with 99.9% approval at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting on October 17, addresses long-standing concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest between its CDMO and biosimilar operations.
Under the new structure, the biosimilar segment will be spun off into a wholly owned holding company, Samsung Epis Holdings, effective November 1. Samsung Epis Holdings will assume full ownership of Samsung Bioepis, the biosimilar subsidiary, and oversee future growth in biosimilars and biotechnology platforms. This leaves Samsung Biologics solely focused on CDMO services for global pharmaceutical and biotech clients, with a sharpened commitment to operational independence and client confidentiality.
Trading of Samsung Biologics shares will be suspended from October 30 to November 21, with both Samsung Biologics and Samsung Epis Holdings relisting on November 24. Shareholders will receive shares at a 0.65 to 0.35 ratio between the two companies. CEO John Rim emphasized that the split will provide clearer value to investors, foster greater competitiveness, and advance the company’s ambitions in antibody-drug conjugates and gene therapies.