Celltrion is accelerating its push into the European market by expanding bids won and sales of major biosimilar products in Spain and Portugal.

Celltrion announced on the 12th that ‘Omlyclo’ (ingredient name: omalizumab), a treatment for chronic spontaneous urticaria and allergic asthma, was estimated to have recorded a market share of over 90% in Spain as of June this year.

Omlyclo was selected as an omalizumab supplier in tenders conducted in the first half of this year by four Spanish regional governments: Catalonia, the Basque Country, Asturias, and Valencia. The company explained that, in addition to regional government tenders, prescriptions through individual hospitals have also increased, rapidly expanding local sales.

Celltrion cited as a competitive strength the fact that Omlyclo offers a 150 mg autoinjector formulation not available in the originator product, enabling it to meet diverse dosing needs of patients and healthcare professionals. It added that securing a longer shelf life and room-temperature stability data compared with the originator product has also contributed to expansion in the local market.

The company is also strengthening sales and marketing by leveraging its direct sales structure in the region. Celltrion’s Spanish subsidiary is promoting Omlyclo’s formulation and storage convenience to local healthcare professionals and pharmacists, while emphasizing that switching to biosimilars can reduce healthcare costs, thereby driving expansion in prescriptions.

‘Aptozma’ (ingredient name: tocilizumab), a treatment for autoimmune diseases, is also broadening its supply base in Spain. Aptozma has been selected as a supplier in tenders organized by ‘INGESA’ (Instituto Nacional de Gestión Sanitaria), a tendering agency under the Spanish Ministry of Health, as well as in regional government tenders.

Aptozma likewise differentiates itself with a formulation not available in the originator product. Celltrion has launched a 400 mg formulation in the Spanish market, expanding the range of dosages available in clinical settings. Based on tender wins and product differentiation, Aptozma recorded a market share of around 50% in Spain as of the second quarter of this year.

In neighboring Portugal, the company is also continuing to win major product tenders. In national tenders held in the first half of this year, ‘Remsima’ (ingredient name: infliximab), ‘Yuflyma’ (ingredient name: adalimumab), and ‘Steqima’ (ingredient name: ustekinumab), all treatments for autoimmune diseases, were awarded supply contracts.

In addition to autoimmune disease treatments, Omlyclo and the ophthalmologic treatment ‘Eydenzelt’ (ingredient name: aflibercept) were also selected as supply products in the relevant national tenders. Celltrion began supplying these products in the first half and plans to continue supply in the second half of the year.

Celltrion expects that sales volume will further increase from the second half, when supply of new products in Spain and Portugal gets into full swing. With tender items expanding beyond existing autoimmune disease treatments to include therapies for allergies, asthma, and ophthalmologic diseases, the range of products sold locally is also broadening.

Kang Suk-hoon, head of Celltrion’s Spanish subsidiary, said, “New products are already delivering continued tender wins in Spain and Portugal, but we expect sales growth to accelerate further from the second half, when product supply gains full momentum,” adding, “We will strengthen marketing activities targeting key stakeholders and further solidify our market position by leveraging Celltrion’s differentiated product portfolio and direct sales competitiveness.”

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