Celltrion's oncology biosimilars are posting high prescription market shares in Japan.
According to local data compiled by IQVIA and the company, as of Dec. last year, the metastatic colorectal cancer and breast cancer therapy "Vegzelma (bevacizumab)" recorded a 58% market share in Japan. After surpassing 50% in Sept. last year, its share rose further.
A company official said, "Vegzelma is maintaining the No. 1 position in prescriptions in the Japanese bevacizumab market, where a total of five products, including the original drug 'Avastin,' compete."
The breast and gastric cancer therapy "Herzuma (trastuzumab)" posted a 76% share in the Japanese market during the same period.
Launched in Japan in 2019, Herzuma saw prescriptions increase after it received approval for the "once-every-3-weeks regimen," which extends the dosing interval, in Aug. of the same year. It first surpassed the market share of the original drug "Herceptin" in the second quarter of 2021 and has maintained the No. 1 position in prescriptions for about four and a half years. It currently accounts for about three-quarters of the trastuzumab market in Japan.
Japan's oncology market operates under the "Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC)," a Japan-style fixed-fee system. The government sets the total expense for cancer treatment, and medical institutions can secure revenue equal to the amount saved when they use lower-priced medicines. Patient copays and government reimbursements also decrease under this structure.
A company official noted, "In this policy environment, the industry sees that prescriptions for biosimilars with price competitiveness are increasing."
Meanwhile, Celltrion's autoimmune disease therapies are also expanding their share in Japan. The infliximab biosimilar "Remsima" holds a 43% share in Japan, while the adalimumab biosimilar "Yuflyma" holds 17%.
Celltrion plans to expand its product lineup in Japan. After launching the ustekinumab biosimilar "Steqeyma" in Aug. last year, it plans to launch the tocilizumab biosimilar "Abtozma" in the second quarter of this year.