Lilly, Samsung Partner to Mass Produce COVID-19 Antibody

Samsung Biologics' partnership with Eli Lilly and Company is expected to accelerate the global supply for Lilly's COVID-19 antibody therapies through a long-term manufacturing agreement, with the goal of making antibody treatments more globally accessible for patients.

Lilly is hoping to manufacture up to one million doses for worldwide use by the end of 2020. It expects supply to increase substantially from the first quarter of 2021.

"Neutralizing antibodies are proving to be a potentially important tool in the fight against COVID-19, and the biopharmaceutical industry is collaborating quickly and effectively to increase the global manufacturing supply," said David A. Ricks, Lilly's chairman and CEO. "This agreement with Samsung supplements Lilly's own internal manufacturing capacity and greatly expands our ability to deliver Lilly antibody therapies to patients around the world."

Lilly and Samsung Biologics entered into the manufacturing partnership agreement in May of 2020 to address the demand for COVID-19 treatments worldwide. Samsung was able to manufacture and deliver an initial supply of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) meeting Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and regulatory expectations within 5 months of contract signing.

"We are very pleased to deliver this product to our client Lilly in record breaking speed to aid in the war against the COVID-19 pandemic," said Dr. Tae Han Kim, CEO of Samsung Biologics. "Thanks to Lilly's ongoing scientific efforts, patients suffering from this devastating disease are gaining new hope. Samsung Biologics is proud to be Lilly's CDMO partner and will continue to work relentlessly and collaboratively with them to bring COVID-19 treatments to patients who need them the most, wherever they are."