Samsung Biologics has secured a major legal victory after the Seoul High Court extended an injunction prohibiting industrial action across all nine core stages of manufacturing at its Songdo campus, reinforcing the requirement to maintain uninterrupted production.

 

In its ruling on the company's appeal, the court recognized all nine stages as protected work necessary to prevent the deterioration or spoilage of raw materials and products. The order requires operations to continue under normal conditions, with the same staffing levels, working hours, production scale and duty of care.

 

The ruling significantly expands the scope of the restrictions. In April, the trial court had limited the injunction to at least the final three stages of the manufacturing process. The latest decision extends the restrictions to all nine.

 

The protected stages include flask culture, bioreactor culture, harvest, media preparation and supply, chromatography, viral filtration, concentration and buffer exchange, drug substance filling, and buffer preparation and supply.

 

The decision underscores the operational demands of biologics manufacturing, where interruptions at critical stages can threaten product integrity and disrupt supply.

 

"Biologics manufacturing depends on living cells and time-sensitive steps that cannot be paused without risking the medicines patients rely on. We fully respect and welcome the court's recognition of this. Our priority remains uninterrupted, quality-assured supply for our clients and their patients, and we remain committed to dialogue with our employees toward a mutual agreement," said a Samsung Biologics representative.

 

Samsung Biologics said it continues to operate under its business continuity plans and remains in direct contact with clients.