Celltrion is expanding its influence in Europe's major pharmaceutical markets on the back of increased prescriptions for its existing flagship products and new biosimilar portfolios. Along with the stable market share of the Remsima lineup, new high-margin products are taking root in the market, raising expectations for this year's results.
On the 14th, according to IQVIA, Celltrion's autoimmune disease treatment "Remsima lineup (IV·SC)" posted a combined 70% share in Europe's Infliximab market as of the fourth quarter of last year.
Among the EU5, the United Kingdom recorded an 83% share, while France and Italy posted 82% and 80%, respectively.
Growth for Remsima SC, the subcutaneous formulation, also continued. In Germany, it surpassed a majority with a 50% share, and in France it posted 36%. In Greece and Luxembourg, it effectively accounted for most of the market.
Celltrion said its "dual formulation" strategy—switching from competing products to Remsima and then moving to Remsima SC—is showing results. It noted that being the world's first Infliximab SC formulation and having stable supply worked as competitive advantages.
The oncology portfolio also kept growing. Vegzelma (ingredient name Bevacizumab), a treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer and breast cancer, maintained the lead with a 30% share in Europe's Bevacizumab market. Celltrion said that although it was a latecomer, it has been expanding share based on a direct sales strategy and brand recognition.
New products launched in Europe since last year are also speeding their market uptake. OMLYCLO (ingredient name Omalizumab), a treatment for chronic spontaneous urticaria, recorded a 15% share just two quarters after launch. In Denmark, it posted a 98% share due to national tenders, and in Spain and the Netherlands, it came in at 80% and 70%, respectively.
APTOZMA (ingredient name Tocilizumab), an autoimmune disease treatment, also achieved a 5% share after sequential launches in major European countries from late last year to early this year. In some countries, including Portugal (30%) and Spain (13%), it secured double-digit shares.
Celltrion posted consolidated first-quarter sales of 1.145 trillion won and operating profit of 321.9 billion won this year. Those figures were up 36% and 115.5%, respectively, from a year earlier. The company expects growth momentum to pick up in the second half, as tenders in major European countries typically concentrate in the second and third quarters.
A Celltrion official said, "We will work to deliver results that exceed the targets presented for this year."