Celltrion's anticancer biosimilar ("biosimilar") Vegzelma (ingredient bevacizumab) has captured a 64% share in the Japanese market. Despite entering as a latecomer, it has risen to No. 1 by prescription volume and is expanding its influence in Japan.
According to Celltrion on the 18th, based on IQVIA and local data, Vegzelma recorded a 64% market share in Japan's metastatic colorectal cancer and Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment market in Mar. this year. After surpassing 50% in Sep. last year, it climbed more than 14% in about half a year.
Vegzelma is a biosimilar of Swiss Roche's anticancer drug "Avastin." In Japan, it launched at the end of 2022, about two years later than competing products, but it now holds the highest share among five bevacizumab products, including the original.
Celltrion sees Japan's diagnosis procedure combination (DPC) system as having positively contributed to the spread of biosimilars. Hospitals can improve revenue by using lower-priced biosimilars, and the government and patients can also reduce medical costs.
Other anticancer biosimilars are also expanding their share in Japan. The breast and gastric cancer treatment biosimilar "Herzuma (trastuzumab)" recorded a 76% share. The autoimmune disease treatments "Remsima (Infliximab)" and "Yuflyma (adalimumab)" posted market shares of 44% and 19%, respectively.
Celltrion is also speeding up expansion of its product lineup in Japan this year. At the end of last month, it launched the autoimmune disease treatment "Abtozma (tocilizumab)," and it is preparing to launch "OMLYCLO (Omalizumab)" in the second half. The company is also pushing for the Japan entry of Remsima SC, the subcutaneous (SC) formulation of Infliximab.
A Celltrion official said, "Based on a business strategy tailored to the characteristics of the local medical market and the competitiveness of our products, Vegzelma is maintaining the No. 1 market share in Japan," and noted, "We plan to help new products establish a foothold in the market through synergies with existing products."