Samsung Biologics Spin-Off Plan Wins 99% Shareholder Approval
Securing Growth Momentum as a Pure-Play CDMO Division of CDMO and Biosimilar Businesses Expected to Eliminate Conflicts of Interest and Strengthen Contract Competitiveness
Samsung Biologics announced that shareholders have approved its proposed human-division spin-off plan at an extraordinary general meeting held on October 17 at Songdo Convensia in Incheon’s Yeonsu-gu district.
The meeting, which began at 9 a.m. and lasted around 20 minutes, included a single agenda item — approval of the division plan. With 93.0 % of voting shares represented (1,286 shareholders), 99.9 % voted in favor, passing the proposal with overwhelming support.
Under the plan, Samsung Biologics’ investment division will be separated to form a new entity, Samsung EPIS Holdings, while the parent company will continue its core contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) business. The new holding company will oversee Samsung Bioepis — which develops and commercializes biosimilars — and manage related subsidiaries and future investments.
The division will be executed as a human-division type, granting existing shareholders proportional shares in both entities. Shareholders will receive Samsung Biologics and Samsung EPIS Holdings shares at a ratio of 0.6503913 : 0.3496087, calculated based on each company’s net asset value as of the end of Q1 2025.
The division will take effect on November 1. Following a temporary trading suspension from October 30 to November 21, both companies are scheduled to be newly listed on the Korea Exchange on November 24.
Samsung Biologics stated that the separation will reinforce each company’s governance and strategic independence, strengthen competitiveness, and enhance corporate and shareholder value. The CDMO-focused Samsung Biologics will continue its growth strategy toward becoming a global top-tier CDMO, while Samsung EPIS Holdings will expand Samsung Bioepis’ global biosimilar presence and invest in next-generation biotechnologies.
CEO John Rim commented, “This division allows the CDMO and biosimilar businesses to be transparently valued through separate listings. Each company will further refine its core strengths and competitiveness, maximizing value for our shareholders.”
Proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) recommended approval of the plan, citing its strategic soundness in enhancing business specialization. The National Pension Service, Samsung Biologics’ third-largest shareholder (7.3 %), also voted in favor, signaling strong market confidence in the division’s rationale and direction.