Samsung Biologics CEO John Rim presented an ambitious roadmap for the company’s growth at the 2025 JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, held on Tuesday (local time) in San Francisco, Calif., the U.S.

Highlighting the company’s record-breaking achievements in 2024 and its strategic plans, Rim reaffirmed Samsung Biologics’ commitment to becoming a global top-tier biopharmaceutical company.

Rim revealed that Samsung Biologics achieved its highest-ever annual performance in 2024, with cumulative orders exceeding $16.2 billion and annual revenue growth projected at 15-20 percent.

"This represents a nearly 15-fold increase compared to our revenue in 2016, the year of our initial public offering," he noted. “The company’s third-quarter revenue in 2024 stood at 3.29 trillion won ($2.2 billion), with operating profit reaching 994.4 billion won, marking a 26 percent and 30 percent growth compared to the same period in 2023.”

Rim emphasized the company’s three strategic pillars—capacity expansion, portfolio diversification, and global presence—as the foundation for sustained growth.

Samsung Biologics plans to complete its fifth plant in April 2025, with a 180,000-liter production capacity, symbolizing the advent of its “Second Bio Campus Era.”

The company is also considering a sixth plant with similar capacity, expected to bring the total production capability to 964,000 liters by 2027—a global record.

"The decision on the sixth plant’s construction timeline will be finalized following board discussions," Rim stated.

In line with the plant expansion, Rim announced the company’s plans to broaden its offerings beyond monoclonal antibodies, drug products, and messenger RNA (mRNA) platforms.

By 2027, it plans to strengthen its capabilities in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and establish automated pre-filled syringe (PFS) production facilities to cater to Asia’s growing demand.

Samsung Biologics is also enhancing its international footprint by establishing sales offices in key bio hubs like Boston, New Jersey, and Tokyo.

“These efforts aim to boost engagement with major pharmaceutical companies and strengthen its position in the growing Asian market,” he said. “We plan to target Japan as the next key market for its contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) services, focusing on the top 40 companies by market capitalization.”

Regarding investment into other companies, Rim stressed that Samsung Biologics is doubling down on investments in cutting-edge technologies and modalities. These include end-to-end services for ADCs and cell and gene therapies, such as adeno-associated viruses (AAV).

"By broadening our capabilities, we aim to address the increasing complexity of biopharmaceutical production and provide seamless solutions for our clients," Rim explained.

Rim concluded his presentation with an optimistic outlook for 2025 and beyond.

"Despite challenging market conditions in Korea and the U.S., Samsung Biologics is well-positioned to maintain its leadership through proactive investments and strategic initiatives," he said. “The company has already secured a $1.56 billion contract with a European pharmaceutical firm this year, signaling a strong start to 2025.”

Rim stressed that the company is still working hard to achieve its long-term vision, “Vision 2030,” which focuses on achieving global leadership as a top-tier biopharmaceutical company.

"Our work to achieve the vision revolves around our 4E strategy -- Customer Excellence, Operational Excellence, Quality Excellence, and People Excellence," Rim said. 

Rim credited this framework for the company’s consistent performance, stating, "4E guides every decision we make, from scaling our capacity to nurturing talent."