Contract biopharmaceutical manufacturer Samsung Biologics has secured its first manufacturing base in the United States, acquiring the plant of Human Genome Sciences from global drug giant GSK for $280 million. Samsung Biologics said Monday that its U.S. unit, Samsung Biologics America, has signed a deal to acquire a 100 percent stake in Human Genome Sciences. The transaction is set to close within the first quarter of next year. Located in Rockville, Md, the plant has an annual manufacturing capacity of 60,000 liters of drug substances, supporting both clinical and commercial production across a range of scales, from small to large. 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 the technology. The company said it will retain more than 500 employees at the site to ensure operational continuity and stability. Upon completion of the deal, Samsung Biologics will have established its first manufacturing presence in the world’s largest pharmaceutical market. Until now, th