INCHEON, South Korea, March 16, 2026
Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd. and Epis NexLab Co., Ltd. have announced a strategic research collaboration and licensing agreement with G2GBIO aimed at developing novel long-acting therapeutic assets, including a sustained-release semaglutide formulation. The agreement focuses on leveraging G2GBIO’s proprietary microsphere drug-delivery technology to create innovative medicines designed to improve treatment adherence and therapeutic outcomes. The collaboration represents a significant step in expanding biopharmaceutical innovation in metabolic disease therapies, particularly for diabetes and obesity treatments, where long-acting formulations can provide meaningful benefits for patients and healthcare systems.
Strategic Collaboration to Advance Long-Acting Drug Development
Under the agreement, Samsung Bioepis will receive exclusive licensing rights to develop and commercialize a novel long-acting semaglutide asset, while also obtaining an option to license a second therapeutic candidate from G2GBIO’s technology portfolio. In addition, the biopharmaceutical company will gain first negotiation rights for three additional novel assets that may be developed in the future using the same proprietary technology platform. This strategic arrangement allows Samsung Bioepis to significantly strengthen its drug development pipeline and long-acting biologics capabilities, positioning the company to explore new therapeutic solutions for chronic metabolic conditions.
The collaboration also includes Epis NexLab, a sister company to Samsung Bioepis operating under Samsung Epis Holdings, which will play a key role in co-developing the long-acting microsphere drug delivery platform. By combining Samsung Bioepis’ expertise in biopharmaceutical development with G2GBIO’s advanced sustained-release formulation technologies, the partnership aims to accelerate the development of next-generation therapies capable of delivering drugs over extended periods with improved precision and stability.
Although the financial terms of the agreement remain confidential, industry analysts believe the collaboration reflects the growing interest among pharmaceutical companies in long-acting drug delivery systems that reduce dosing frequency and improve patient adherence. Such technologies are becoming increasingly important in therapeutic areas where long-term treatment is required, including diabetes, obesity, and other chronic metabolic diseases.
Microsphere Technology Enables Sustained Drug Delivery
A central component of the collaboration is G2GBIO’s proprietary microsphere technology, which is designed to enable sustained-release formulations capable of delivering active pharmaceutical ingredients gradually over extended periods of time. Microsphere-based drug delivery systems encapsulate therapeutic compounds within biodegradable polymer particles, allowing them to be released slowly and consistently in the body after administration.
This technology has the potential to transform treatments such as semaglutide, a widely used therapy for type 2 diabetes and obesity management. Traditional formulations of semaglutide require regular dosing schedules, but long-acting versions could significantly reduce dosing frequency, improving patient convenience and compliance while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
By integrating advanced drug delivery engineering with modern biologic drug development, the collaboration aims to create innovative treatment options that address both clinical efficacy and patient usability. Sustained-release technologies are increasingly viewed as a key area of innovation within the pharmaceutical industry, particularly for chronic diseases that require lifelong management.
Expanding Innovation in Biopharmaceutical Development
The collaboration underscores Samsung Bioepis’ broader strategy to expand its research and development capabilities across biologics and next-generation therapeutics. Since its establishment in 2012, the company has built a strong reputation for developing high-quality biologic medicines across multiple therapeutic areas, including immunology, oncology, ophthalmology, endocrinology, hematology, and nephrology.
By incorporating innovative drug delivery technologies into its development pipeline, Samsung Bioepis aims to accelerate the creation of differentiated biologic therapies that improve accessibility and clinical outcomes for patients worldwide. The addition of long-acting semaglutide and other sustained-release assets represents an important milestone in the company’s efforts to expand its portfolio of advanced treatments.
Company leadership emphasized that the collaboration is expected to unlock new opportunities for therapeutic innovation, combining scientific expertise across multiple organizations. The partnership highlights the growing importance of cross-industry collaboration in modern drug development, where combining expertise in biologics, formulation science, and drug delivery technology can accelerate the creation of more effective therapies.
As global demand for innovative metabolic disease treatments continues to rise, partnerships like this are expected to play a crucial role in advancing the next generation of long-acting medicines capable of improving both patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency.
Source: Samsung Bioepis press release
