Bio/Life Science Archives - Rockville Economic Development, Inc

Samsung Biologics expands U.S. manufacturing capabilities with strategic acquisition of Human Genome Sciences from GSK

Samsung Biologics will acquire the Rockville assets for $280 million and will also retain more than 500 employees

Incheon, S. KOREA, Maryland, United States, London, UK, December 22, 2025 – Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940.KS), a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), today announced that its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Samsung Biologics America, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Human Genome Sciences from GSK (LSE/NYSE: GSK). This strategic move secures Samsung Biologics’ first U.S.-based manufacturing site, a significant expansion of the company’s global footprint and its long-term commitment to the U.S. market.

Located in Rockville, Maryland, the facility sits at the center of one of the key U.S. bio-clusters and encompasses two cGMP manufacturing plants with a combined 60,000 liters of drug substance capacity, supporting both clinical and commercial production from small to large scale. Existing products will continue to be manufactured at the site, and Samsung Biologics plans to make additional investments to expand the site’s capacity and upgrade technology to further support a more resilient U.S. supply chain for critical biologic medicines.

Under the terms of the agreement, with closing anticipated toward the end of Q1 of 2026, Samsung Biologics will acquire the Rockville assets for USD 280 million. The company will also retain more than 500 employees at the site to ensure operational continuity and stability. By integrating this facility into our global network, Samsung Biologics will provide clients with flexible, multi-site options in both the U.S. and Korea to ensure that live-saving therapeutics are reliably available to American patients.

Samsung Biologics has established a proven track record of operational and construction excellence through on-time completion of its Bio Campus I and II, and also recently secured land for Bio Campus III, which will house distinct R&D and manufacturing programs for new modalities. With 785,000 liters of capacity across five plants, the industry’s leading capacity, Samsung Biologics continues to advance its diversified portfolio spanning monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), mRNA, organoid-based services, and next-generation therapies.

“This landmark acquisition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to advancing global healthcare and bolstering our manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. The investment will enable us to deepen our collaboration with federal, state, and local stakeholders to best serve our customers and partners while ensuring a reliable and stable supply of life-saving therapeutics,” said John Rim, CEO and President of Samsung Biologics. “This marks an important step forward in our mission to achieve a better life through biomedicines, and we look forward to building on the legacy of this facility as we welcome experienced colleagues to the Samsung Biologics family and continue delivering innovative solutions that make a meaningful impact.”

Regis Simard, President, Global Supply Chain, GSK, said: “Today’s agreement to divest the Rockville manufacturing site to our valued long-term partner, Samsung Biologics, will secure the manufacture of two important medicines on US soil for US patients and further build GSK’s supply chain resilience. Along with GSK’s recent commitment to invest $30bn in R&D and manufacturing in the US over the next 5 years, this deal enables us to further focus on building the agility, capacity and capability needed in our manufacturing network to deliver the next generation of specialty medicines and vaccines. I am confident in a positive partnership and future for the Rockville site.”

About Samsung Biologics

Samsung Biologics is a fully integrated, end-to-end CDMO service provider, offering seamless development and manufacturing solutions – from cell line development to final aseptic fill/finish – as well as comprehensive laboratory testing services at every stage of biopharmaceutical products. Learn more at samsungbiologics.com

Press release orginally published by Samsung Biologics: https://samsungbiologics.com/media/company-news/samsung-biologics-expands-u-s–manufacturing-capabilities-with-strategic-acquisition-from-gsk

Rockville’s Rise Therapeutics receives TEDCO SBIR/STTR Matching Funds

Rise Therapeutics is developing first-in-class oral immune biomodulators for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer.

Rise Therapeutics, a clinical-stage immunotherapy company headquartered in Rockville’s Biotech Corridor, was among 13 Maryland companies to receive funding through TEDCO’s latest SBIR/STTR Matching Funds awards. The program distributed $875,000 across two rounds, with 11 companies, including Rise Therapeutics who received $75,000 in Phase II matching funds.

The SBIR/STTR Matching Funds program strengthens the impact of federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer awards by providing supplemental state funding to promote commercialization and job creation.

Rise Therapeutics is developing first-in-class oral immune biomodulators for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Unlike traditional biological therapies requiring injection or infusion, the company’s proprietary platform delivers targeted protein therapy through oral capsules. Rise currently has four programs in clinical testing, including therapies for ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s disease, and cancer.

The company operates a GMP manufacturing facility in Rockville and has previously received TEDCO Seed Funds investment as well as NIH funding to support its clinical development.

Learn more about TEDCO’s SBIR/STTR Matching Funds program at tedcomd.com/funding/federal-programs/sbirsttr-matching-funds

About Rise Therapeutics

Rise Therapeutics is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing first-in-class Oral Immune Biomodulators, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer. With a fully integrated research and product development infrastructure, the team leverages innovative scientific discoveries to drive novel drug development through human clinical proof-of-concept. Learn more at risetherapeutics.com

About TEDCO

TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at www.tedcomd.com

AstraZeneca plans $2 billion manufacturing investment in Maryland, supporting 2,600 jobs and catalysing economic growth

This investment is AstraZeneca's fourth major U.S. manufacturing investment announcement this year, advancing its $50 billion commitment to medicines manufacturing and R&D

Montgomery County, Md., Nov. 21, 2025 – AstraZeneca today announced plans to invest $2 billion to expand its long-standing manufacturing footprint in Maryland. This includes a significant expansion of its flagship biologics manufacturing facility in Frederick and construction of a new state-of-the-art facility in Gaithersburg for the development and clinical supply of innovative molecules to be used in clinical trials. The investment will support 2,600 jobs across the two sites in the state including the retention of local roles, construction activity, and the creation of 300 highly skilled jobs.

The Frederick facility currently produces biologics, a type of medication used across AstraZeneca’s portfolio of cancer, auto immune, respiratory and rare disease treatments. The planned expansion will nearly double commercial manufacturing capacity, enabling increased supply of existing medicines and, for the first time, production across the Company’s rare disease portfolio. It will create 200 highly skilled jobs and 900 construction roles and is expected to be operational in 2029.

In parallel, AstraZeneca will build a new clinical manufacturing facility to expand its footprint in Gaithersburg. The facility, which will be fully operational by 2029, will create an additional 100 jobs, retain 400 roles and support a further 1,000 construction-related jobs.

Both the expanded facility in Frederick and the new facility in Gaithersburg will leverage cutting-edge AI, automation and data analytics and be built to the highest environmental standards.

Maryland Governor, Wes Moore, said: “AstraZeneca’s commitment to Maryland speaks to our unique, world-class biotech ecosystem. This landmark investment affirms our reputation as a global leader in life sciences, while strengthening the U.S. medicine supply chain, accelerating the development of life-saving therapies, and creating hundreds of jobs. We are proud to partner with AstraZeneca to grow our economy and build new pathways to work, wages, and wealth for all.”

Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca, said: “Today marks a landmark moment for Maryland and American patients. As the state’s largest biopharmaceutical employer, we are deepening our long-standing commitment to Maryland – supporting 2,600 jobs, catalysing economic growth and bringing our extensive rare disease portfolio onshore for the first time. This investment strengthens the resilience of the US medicines supply chain and accelerates access to transformative therapies for patients across America and around the world.”

Today’s announcement is part of AstraZeneca’s historic $50 billion investment announced in July and follows a series of US commitments over the past six months, including unveiling a new cell therapy manufacturing facility in Rockville, Maryland, a new drug substance manufacturing facility in Virginia and the expansion of the Company’s existing manufacturing facility in Coppell, Texas.

The US is AstraZeneca’s largest market by sales and is also home to 19 R&D, manufacturing and commercial sites. The Company’s US workforce exceeds more than 25,000 people and supports more than 100,000 jobs overall across the country. In 2025, AstraZeneca created approximately $20 billion of overall value to the American economy.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca’s innovative medicines are sold in more than 125 countries and used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Social Media @AstraZeneca.

Press Release originally published by AstraZeneca: https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2025/astrazeneca-plans-dollar2-billion-manufacturing-investment-in-maryland-supporting-2600-jobs-and-catalysing-economic-growth.html

Seven Rockville companies featured on Washington Business Journal’s largest bioscience employers list

Rockville, the epicenter of the Biotech Corridor is home to a concentration of bioscience companies and research institutions

The Washington Business Journal recently released its 2025 list of the 50 largest bioscience employers in the Washington metropolitan area. Seven companies located in the City of Rockville’s Biotech Corridor were included in the rankings, based on their reported number of metro-area employees.

The Biotech Corridor is home to a concentration of bioscience companies and research institutions concentrated in Rockville. The Corridor’s biotech and life sciences companies feature specializations including clinical research, diagnostics, biopharmaceuticals, and biologics manufacturing. The City of Rockville serves as a hub due to its proximity to federal health agencies, academic institutions, and established industry infrastructure.

The following companies within the City of Rockville are ranked among the region’s largest bioscience employers:

#2 Emmes – 401 N. Washington Street, #700 Rockville, MD 20850
#7 Meso Scale Diagnostics – 1601 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850
#14 Otsuka U.S. – 2440 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850
#20 Amgen Inc. – Research West II, 2400 Research Boulevlard
#24 I-MAB Biopharma Inc. – 2400 Research Boulevard, #400 Rockville, MD 20850
#26 Maxim Biomedical – 1500 East Gude, Suite A , Rockville MD 20850
No Rank – Aurinia Pharmaceuticals – 77 Upper Rock Circle, #700, Rockville, MD 20850

View the list of Washington Business Journal’s 2025 ranking of bioscience employers in the region at bizjournals.com/washington/subscriber-only/2025/08/08/here-are-the-50-largest-bioscience-employers-in-greater.html

BioHealth Capital Region Claims #3 Spot Among Top U.S. Biopharma Clusters in 2025

The region's third-place ranking is backed by strong performance across metrics including patents, NIH funding, venture capital funding, lab space, and number of jobs

The BioHealth Capital Region, covering Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C., ranked as the nation’s third-largest biomedical and pharmaceutical cluster, according to Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News’ annual list of top U.S. Biopharma regions.

Despite challenges like federal funding cuts and workforce reductions at agencies such as the FDA and NIH, the region remains resilient, continuing to attract leading companies and institutions. Its competitiveness reflects decades of scientific excellence. The region’s third-place ranking is backed by strong performance across key biotech metrics. It leads the U.S. in patent production with 79,141 patent families in biotechnology, demonstrating groundbreaking research.

The BioHealth Capital Region ranked third in laboratory space, with 36.8 million square feet of cutting-edge facilities, including the NIH’s 9.2 million square feet in Bethesda. This infrastructure drives innovation and scientific progress. With 4,806 awards worth $3.639 billion in NIH funding, the area ranked third, underscoring confidence in its research capabilities despite budget pressures.

Activity in the Biotech Corridor including AstraZeneca’s $300 million cell therapy manufacturing facility and MilliporeSigma’s $286 million biosafety testing facility have added hundreds of high-paying jobs, cementing the region as a global hub for next-generation therapeutics.

Read the full list of 2025 Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters at www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-discovery/top-10-u-s-biopharma-clusters-2025/

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Category: Bio/Life Science