Celltrion announced on the 17th that its flagship autoimmune disease treatment “Remsima” (ingredient name: infliximab) has risen to No. 1 in market share in Japan.

According to pharmaceutical market research firm IQVIA and local data, Remsima recorded a 48% share of the infliximab market in Japan in July this year. This marks the first time it has surpassed the original product to become the top-prescribed treatment in about 11 years since its launch in Japan in April 2015.

The Japanese autoimmune disease market is regarded as one where the difference in patients’ out-of-pocket costs between original drugs and biosimilars is not significant, so factors beyond price—such as clinical and prescribing data, product recognition, and sales and marketing capabilities—have a considerable impact on prescriptions.

Celltrion has been supplying Remsima in cooperation with its local distribution partner Nippon Kayaku. Since the end of 2017, Celltrion’s Japanese subsidiary has also taken part in sales, with the two companies jointly handling product supply and sales activities to expand the market.

Celltrion currently sells four autoimmune disease treatments in Japan: Remsima, “Yuflyma” (ingredient name: adalimumab), “Aptoza” (ingredient name: tocilizumab), and “Steqima” (ingredient name: ustekinumab).

Yuflyma holds a 21% market share in Japan and ranks No. 1 in prescriptions among biosimilar products. Aptoza has also captured around 10% market share for its intravenous (IV) formulation. Celltrion plans to strengthen integrated sales and marketing activities leveraging its product portfolio, given that key medical professionals and medical institutions overlap by disease area.

The company is also preparing to launch “Remsima SC,” the subcutaneous (SC) formulation of Remsima, in Japan next year. Celltrion’s Japanese subsidiary is carrying out preliminary work with a target launch in 2027. By supplying the existing IV formulation together with the SC formulation, the company aims to expand its prescription base in the infliximab market.

Oncology products are also achieving high market shares in Japan. The breast and gastric cancer treatment “Herzuma” (ingredient name: trastuzumab) recorded a 78% market share as of July, while “Vegzelma” (ingredient name: bevacizumab), used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, recorded 64%. As a result, the number of Celltrion products ranking No. 1 in market share in Japan has increased to three, including Remsima.

Kim Ho-woong, Executive Vice President of Celltrion’s Global Sales Division, said, “Remsima achieving the No. 1 market share in Japan 11 years after its launch is the result of a sales strategy tailored to the local pharmaceutical environment, supported by the capabilities of local personnel who have accumulated market experience,” adding, “With the launch of Remsima SC next year, we will continue to expand sales of the Remsima product family.”

Popular News