Samsung Epis Holdings, a biotech holding company, announced on Thursday that it has achieved an AA rating in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) evaluation conducted by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), a global investment information provider. This rating places the company in the leader group.
Following its split listing last November, Samsung Epis Holdings participated in its first global ESG evaluation. The high rating was based on its disclosed management performance and the ESG activities of its subsidiary, Samsung Bioepis.
MSCI, headquartered in New York, is renowned for providing global stock indices and authoritative investment information. Since 1999, it has been evaluating the ESG management performance of publicly listed companies worldwide, assigning ratings from AAA to CCC across seven levels.
In the evaluation, Samsung Epis Holdings excelled particularly in the social category, specifically in talent management and product safety and quality control. These are key components of the three main assessment criteria: Environment, Social, and Governance.
Kim Kyung-ah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Samsung Epis Holdings, commented that achieving a leader rating in the inaugural global ESG evaluation isn’t a short-term achievement. It’s the result of systematically integrating ESG management as a core value since the inception. It will continue to strengthen the ESG-based sustainable management system while developing patient-centered biopharmaceuticals.
Meanwhile, Samsung Bioepis is experiencing growth in sales performance. This is driven by strong revenue from established products like its Enbrel biosimilar (etanercept), which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Europe, as well as new product launches in the U.S. market.
The company currently markets four products directly in Europe. Its Eylea (Apple libercept) biosimilar, SB15, is slated for launch in Europe this April and in the U.S. next January, following agreements with the original manufacturer.
In the U.S., Samsung Bioepis launched its Prolia (denosumab) biosimilar, SB16, in January. This followed an October agreement with CVS Caremark, one of the three major U.S. pharmacy benefit managers, for private label supply.
This March, the company entered an early collaboration agreement with Sandoz for the preclinical pipeline of its Entyvio (vedolizumab) biosimilar, SB36. This partnership aims to leverage both companies’ expertise from the early development stages, enhancing the potential for successful commercialization of future pipeline products.
Beyond biosimilars, Samsung Bioepis is actively pursuing new drug development across various fields. This includes antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), which are emerging as promising next-generation cancer therapies. The company is leveraging its technological expertise gained from its biosimilar business to drive these new initiatives.
