[THE INVESTOR] Samsung BioLogics, the biosimilar drug producer of Samsung Group, is expected to make its long-awaited stock debut on Korea’s main bourse KOSPI in November.

According to industry sources on July 27, the company will submit its IPO application on Aug. 2 that will be reviewed by the Korea Exchange for 45 days. 

BioLogics’ stock debut will become this year’s largest IPO in Korea after the much-hyped 5 trillion won (US$4.40 billion) IPO of Hotel Lotte was delayed recently amid a mounting probe into Lotte Group owner family’s alleged involvement in bribe and embezzlement.

Industry watchers say the BioLogics IPO could raise up to 2 trillion won and the market capitalization is estimated to stand at about 10 trillion won.

The company said it plans to use the new funding to double its production capacity from the current 180,000 liters to 360,000 liters by 2018.

In May, the company selected five IPO advisers, including Korea Investment Securities, NH Investment & Securities, Citigroup, J.P. Morgan and Credit Suisse.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com">jylee@heraldcorp.com)