NEWS
Samsung Biologics to buy PolyPeptide Group
Under a newly agreed transaction, South Korea’ s Samsung Biologics is to buy PolyPeptide, a specialised global CDMO for peptide-based APIs, for € 41.36 share. This represents a 40 % premium on the share price of when rumours about a sale began on 10 April and values PolyPeptide at about € 1.366 million.
The deal is subject to shareholder approval, but the PolyPeptide board has unanimously recommended acceptance while its largest individual shareholder, Draupnir Holding, which owns a 55.65 % stake, has committed to tender all of its shares into the offer.
The transaction should be completed by the end of the year
“ The transaction aims to provide PolyPeptide with the resources, investment capacity and strategic platform to pursue the next phase of its growth and innovation,” PolyPeptide stated.“ Alongside Samsung Biologics’ global manufacturing scale and track record of operational excellence, PolyPeptide will also benefit from an aligned customer footprint.”
John Rim, CEO and chairman of the board at Samsung Biologics, said:“ This acquisition reinforces our long-term growth strategy by not only broadening our service portfolio with modality expansion into peptides including GLP- 1, but by also boosting our geographic reach and proximity further within the US, Europe and India.“
In 1H 2026, PolyPeptide also revealed, its revenues grew by 41.6 % on 1H 2025 to € 236.6 million, while a loss of € 26 million turned into a profit of about € 9 million. Growth was primarily driven by metabolic therapeutics, which now account for about 68 % of total revenues, particularly from large pharma companies, which represent about 72 %. Meanwhile, the number of Phase III projects grew from 30 to 37.
gChem sees ownership change
ContextLogic Holdings and its newly formed subsidiary GCH Buyer have agreed to acquire gChem, the holding company of Gaylord Chemical and its subsidiaries, from EagleTree Capital and others. Subject to closing conditions, the deal is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The deal values gChem at $ 850 million. ContextLogic has secured equity financing of up to $ 870 million and debt financing led by Blackstone Credit & Insurance, including a $ 250 million term loan and $ 25 million revolving credit facility. gChem supplies speciality chemicals to the pharmaceutical, semiconductor, agrochemical, performance chemical and aerospace sectors. It pioneered the commercial manufacture of dimethyl sulfoxide( DMSO). Its pharmaceutical-grade product, Procipient, is supported by an active Type II Drug Master File with the US FDA.
gChem operates a highly automated, vertically integrated manufacturing complex in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The facility uses domestically sourced building blocks and makes critical precursors on site. gChem will be ContextLogic’ s second operating business following its acquisition of US Salt in February 2026. CEO Frank Roederer will remain in place under a new five-year agreement.
“ It is rare to find businesses like gChem,” said Raja Bobbili, chairman of ContextLogic.“ It serves a narrow but important global market; its products are deeply embedded in its customers ' processes; and its competitive advantages have been built over decades through sustained investments, exacting qualification requirements, vertical integration and customer trust.”
6 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981