Samsung Biologics and VC Firm Kurma Partners Announce Biologics Manufacturing Partnership for Kurma's Portfolio Companies

Incheon, South Korea, Paris, France, Munich, Germany, October 24, 2023 – Samsung Biologics, the leading Korean Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and Kurma Partners, a global bio-healthcare venture capital firm, have come together in a landmark strategic partnership to revolutionize the landscape of biologics development and manufacturing. In an announcement made today via a press release, both entities unveiled their ambitious plan to accelerate the development and manufacturing of biologics for Kurma Partners' portfolio companies.

The multi-year agreement outlines the framework for Samsung Biologics to provide customizable chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC) development services to Kurma Partners' portfolio companies. The primary objectives of this partnership are to streamline the process from gene to Investigational New Drug (IND), mitigate uncertainties in CMC, and expedite the selection of lead candidates for entry into first-in-human studies, with seamless transitions throughout subsequent clinical development phases.

Under this partnership, Kurma Partners' portfolio companies will have access to Samsung Biologics' cutting-edge facilities, proprietary technology platforms, and a wealth of CMC-related expertise. This collaboration is expected to bolster the efficiency of manufacturing processes, ensure strict adherence to regulatory requirements, and minimize uncertainties in biologics development, ultimately optimizing manufacturing efficiency.

John Rim, President and CEO of Samsung Biologics, underscored the significance of this partnership, stating, "As we look to further expand our business opportunities globally, we are pleased to collaborate with Kurma Partners to support the growth of pioneering biotech companies. With our in-depth knowledge on effective scale-up strategy and a diverse portfolio of proprietary platform technologies, we are looking forward to providing robust CMC solutions to reduce uncertainties, ensure regulatory compliance, and ultimately maximize manufacturing efficiency for our clients."

Daniel Parera, M.D., Partner at Kurma Partners, expressed his excitement regarding this collaboration, "We are very excited to partner with Samsung Biologics, a world-leading CDMO with capabilities of the highest industry standards. This will greatly benefit our portfolio of Kurma Biofunds and Kurma Growth Opportunities Fund in advancing large molecule biologics from discovery to the market."

This strategic partnership reaffirms Samsung Biologics' unwavering commitment to aiding emerging biotech companies throughout their drug development and manufacturing journey. Furthermore, it marks a pivotal step in expanding Samsung Biologics' business presence in key sectors, with a specific focus on the U.S. and European markets.

The amalgamation of Samsung Biologics' expertise and Kurma Partners' innovative approach promises to be a transformative force in the biopharmaceutical landscape, fueling the sustainable growth of the industry and advancing biologics from conceptualization to market realization. This partnership is poised to define the future of biologics development and manufacturing, setting new benchmarks in quality, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.