CEO Spotlight: Samsung Biologics’ CEO Dr. Tae Han Kim Talks Response to COVID-19, Future Vision

In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, Dr. Tae Han Kim, founding CEO of Samsung Biologics, and his team proved that it’s possible to protect both the health of its workforce and clients, while also ensuring the company meets the continuous business operations, client demands, and production schedules without delay.

Samsung Biologics is a fully integrated CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) providing end-to-end services to pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. Established in 2011 with headquarters in Songdo, South Korea, the company is committed to improving lives through biomedicine while becoming the most trusted partner to its clients as it works toward that commitment.

“Our business model supports both collaborative novel drug development and high-quality, fast-turnaround contract manufacturing partnerships,” said Dr. Kim in a recent interview. “It provides the infrastructure for partnerships with industry leaders to develop, refine, and manufacture biopharmaceutical products for worldwide distribution.”

How South Korea & Samsung Biologics Flattened The COVID-19 Curve

As the COVID-19 pandemic challenges healthcare systems and disrupts individual lives and businesses around the world, Dr. Kim sent a message to the public noting that South Korea’s initial COVID-19 response should be a model for other countries responding to the deadly virus. South Korea took measures that allowed it to see a steady downward trend in the number of confirmed cases and contributed to its fast recovery, which has been lauded by world health experts.

During the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, Samsung Biologics operated under its Business Continuity Plan, with a dedicated COVID-19 response team in place. The leadership team responded quickly once the social distancing rules were in effect to ensure production schedules were not adjusted or delayed. It implemented monitoring and maintenance procedures, including daily disinfecting of high-traffic areas. It enforced physical distancing of its employees and required them to use preventive measures, including wearing face masks and using hand sanitizers. Thanks to the company’s rigorous internal safety measures, they have had zero confirmed employee COVID-19 cases.

“As people around the globe continue to face the many challenges presented by COVID-19, we are always taking actions to adapt to any unexpected changes,” said Dr. Kim. “We are proud of our teams who have prioritized the health and safety of our employees and clients, while also moving quickly to protect our business and strengthen our strategic priorities for 2020 and beyond.”

This global crisis also reinforced the importance of outsourcing biopharmaceutical capabilities for patients, and the value that contract development and manufacturing partners provide. From its accelerated cell line development services to blockbuster capacity to rapidly scale to its clients’ manufacturing demands, Samsung Biologics wants to be the partner of choice in the future.

Enhanced Virtual Innovations For Client Communications

From the upstart, Samsung Biologics offered an immersive virtual reality solution to bridge the gap of doing business amid physical distancing and travel restrictions. Continuing its business development, client audit, and inspection activities through new creative live virtual tours supporting client due diligence, Samsung Biologics signed 10 new projects in the first quarter with both local and global clients as a result.

Moving forward, Dr. Kim has stated that the company continues its quest to make life-saving medicines accessible to everyone. This purpose has true meaning and importance, now more than ever, as the company works alongside the rest of the world in the global fight against COVID-19.

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