Celltrion's corporate logo / Courtesy of Celltrion
Celltrion moved to strengthen its position in Japan’s competitive immunology market Tuesday with the debut of Avtozma, a biosimilar treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
The launch grants the Korean drugmaker a first-mover advantage in a therapeutic segment traditionally dominated by high-cost brand-name biologics.
The company said the launch of Avtozma follows a seven-month regulatory window after the drug received marketing authorization from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in September. The intravenous and subcutaneous formulations are approved to treat a broad range of inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Castleman disease and cytokine release syndrome.
With the launch, Celltrion expands its autoimmune portfolio in Japan to four products, adding to its existing lineup. The company said it plans to directly sell through its Japanese subsidiary, leveraging its established sales network and supply capabilities to accelerate adoption.
Ahead of the launch, the company engaged medical professionals at the 70th Annual Meeting of the Japan College of Rheumatology, where it presented clinical data and product information to build awareness.
Celltrion said its existing treatments continue to perform strongly in Japan.
Remsima holds a 44 percent market share, while Yuflyma accounts for 19 percent, maintaining leading positions among biosimilars, according to IQVIA data.
The company said it will continue to expand its pipeline in Japan. Omlyclo, with the active ingredient omalizumab, received approval in March and is scheduled for release in the second half of this year. Remsima SC, a subcutaneous formulation of infliximab, is also poised to enter the market.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
Source: Korea Times News
