Samsung Biologics will build P4 Super Plant in Incheon, South Korea. Credit: Samsung Biologics.
The P4 Super Plant will have a total floor area of 238,000m2. Credit: Samsung Biologics.
The fourth biomanufacturing plant will have 256KL bioreactor capacity. Credit: Samsung Biologics.

Samsung Biologics is planning to expand its manufacturing facilities with the construction of its fourth biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant, P4-Super Plant, in Songdo, South Korea.

The plant is a part of the company’s long-term strategy to improve its operational efficiency and to scale up its development and production capabilities in wake of rising biomanufacturing demands.

Additionally, Samsung Biologics launched a new cell line technology to boost its cell culture services in August 2020. The company is also in talks with the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) authorities to acquire additional land for the development of its second bio complex.

Both facilities could cost more than KRW2tn (approximately $2bn), which will be more than the company’s combined investment in its existing three plants in the last nine years.

The manufacturing activities in P4-Super Plant should begin in the second half of 2022.

Location of Samsung Biologics’ P4 Super Plant

P4 Super biologic plant will be located at the company’s existing site in the Songdo district of Incheon in South Korea. The total floor area of the Super Plant will be 238,000m2, which is equivalent to the combined floor area of the existing three plants.

With the area of approximately 330,000m2, the proposed land for the second bio complex lies close to the existing complex of the company.

The land will be utilised to create an Open Innovation centre to nurture biotech companies and develop a global R&D facility while accommodating the company’s potential future plants.

Samsung Biologics’ P4 Super Plant details

P4 Super Plant will add 256KL bioreactor capacity to the company’s existing 364KL capacity at the Incheon site.

“Both facilities could cost more than KRW2tn (approximately $2bn), which will be more than the company’s combined investment in its existing three plants in the last nine years.”

The plant will allow Samsung Biologics to operate the world’s largest manufacturing facility at a single site with the total capacity of 620KL upon completion, designed to integrate all the special features from the three existing plants, facilitating multi-scale manufacturing services at the site. The services will satisfy the diverse demands of current and new customers.

The company will implement automation and latest biomanufacturing technologies to simulate real-time production schedule. It will optimise utility supply based on the data gathered from the existing plants.

Samsung Biologics is also investing generously to minimise the environmental impact of its facilities. The newly emerging technologies such as streamlined application, efficient disposal of high-concentration wastewater, and improvement of nitric acid emissions will improve the workplace and community environment.

Marketing Commentary on Samsung Biologics

Established in April 2011, Samsung Biologics is a fully integrated contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) based in Seoul, South Korea. The company offers a range of global services beyond contract manufacturing, development and research at every stage of a biopharmaceutical product, addressing the emerging needs of the global healthcare industry.

The company employs more than 2,590 people and serves more than 30 global customers. It received a total of 64 global approvals, as of 2020.

Samsung Biologics has signed orders worth more than KRW1.8tn in the first half of 2020, attributed to its cost competitiveness, state-of-the-art technologies, and prompt response to demand for outsourced manufacturing of products such as Covid-19 treatment candidates. The total value of the orders is approximately 2.5 times the overall sales of the company in 2019.