Samsung Biologics spends $1.8 billion in all-cash tender offer to acquire Swiss Peptide Group
Samsung Biologics offers 1.46 billion Swiss francs ($1.8 billion) to acquire Peptide Group. Through this acquisition, the company will expand its peptide drug pipeline and expand into the weight loss drug market where demand is exploding. The South Korean biopharmaceutical company expects to complete the transaction before the end of this year. Schematic diagram of the synthesis of multiple weight loss drugs South Korea's Samsung Biologics announced on Monday that it had launched an all-cash acquisition offer for Swiss Peptide Group for a consideration of 1.46 billion Swiss francs (equivalent to $1.8 billion). Peptide Group is mainly engaged in the active pharmaceutical ingredients of peptide drugs. Under the terms of the public tender offer, shareholders will receive CHF 44.31 per share, with the transaction expected to close in late 2026. Peptide Group shares rose nearly 5.3% in early trading after the news was announced. Samsung Biologics stated that this acquisition is the largest biopharmaceutical M&A transaction in South Korea’s history. The company plans to use this to enter the peptide drug track and enrich its product layout; with the current surge in demand for weight loss drugs, peptide therapy has become one of the fastest-growing segments in the biopharmaceutical industry. Peptide drugs are synthesized from short-chain amino acids, including a variety of GLP-1 weight loss and hypoglycemic drugs. This type of drug can simulate the body's natural hormones, suppress appetite and regulate blood sugar. Peter Weldon, chairman of the Peptide Group, said: "After comprehensively evaluating various strategic options, the board of directors believes that Samsung Biologics' acquisition plan is extremely attractive to shareholders. This generous cash offer will allow shareholders to immediately lock in stable returns." Samsung Biopharmaceuticals’ existing business mainly focuses on antibody drugs and antibody drug conjugates, and this acquisition will broaden its service categories. Currently, the market for GLP-1 peptide weight-loss and hypoglycemic drugs is booming, and customer demand for diversified therapeutic dosage forms continues to rise. The acquisition of the peptide group can meet this market demand. At the same time, this transaction will help Samsung Biologics improve its global layout, take over the Peptide Group's global industrial network in Sweden, Belgium, France, the United States, and India, and fully undertake its research and development, clinical development, and commercial production capabilities. The Peptide Group is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland. It was spun off from the pharmaceutical company Ferring Group in 1996 and has developed and produced more than a thousand medical peptide products. Shares of Samsung Biologics closed down 3.65% on Monday, extending previous losses.