Celltrion is accelerating its market strategy in Europe by securing major bids in key countries.
On August 12, Celltrion announced that it is strengthening its market influence in Spain and Portugal through successful bids and expanded prescriptions for its biosimilar products.
In Spain, the chronic idiopathic urticaria and allergic asthma treatment 'Omliklo' (ingredient: omalizumab) has been selected as a supplier in bids from four major regional governments: Catalonia, the Basque Country, Asturias, and Valencia. The company estimates that its market share exceeded 90% as of June, bolstered by increased prescriptions from individual hospitals.
The autoimmune disease treatment 'Aptozma' (ingredient: tocilizumab) has also been chosen as a supplier in bids from the Spanish Ministry of Health's bidding agency, INGESA, and regional governments. The company reported that its market share in Spain surpassed 50% in the second quarter of this year.
Celltrion attributed its success to product competitiveness, including formulations not available in original products, ease of use, and stability at room temperature, along with a tailored direct sales strategy.
In Portugal, all of its products, including the autoimmune disease treatments 'Remsima' (ingredient: infliximab), 'Uplima' (ingredient: adalimumab), and 'Stekima' (ingredient: ustekinumab), were awarded in national bids during the first half of this year. These products began supply in the first half and will continue to be supplied in the second half.
Additionally, the ophthalmic treatment 'Idenzelt' (ingredient: aflibercept) was also awarded in the bidding, further demonstrating Celltrion's product competitiveness beyond the autoimmune disease sector in Portugal.
Gang Seok-hoon, head of Celltrion's Spain branch, stated, "New products are continuing to achieve bidding success in Spain and Portugal, and we expect sales to accelerate further as product supply intensifies in the second half. We will strengthen our market position based on differentiated product competitiveness and direct sales capabilities."
Meanwhile, Celltrion has been steadily building its direct sales system since Chairman Seo Jung-jin proposed a plan to establish an overseas direct sales network in 2019. The company transitioned to a direct sales system in Europe in 2020 and began direct sales in the United States in 2023.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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