Celltrion is rapidly expanding supplies of its newly launched biosimilars in Italy, one of Europe’s largest pharmaceutical markets, strengthening the competitiveness of its direct sales model in the country.
The company said on July 31 that several newly launched biosimilars, including Omlyclo (omalizumab), a treatment for chronic spontaneous urticaria and allergic asthma, have secured a series of supply contracts across major regions in Italy.
Launched at the end of last year, Omlyclo is now available in 15 Italian regions. In seven of those regions, it is the only omalizumab supplier to have signed procurement contracts with regional governments.
Sales have also exceeded expectations. In Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, cumulative Omlyclo sales from January through May this year surpassed the total volume of all omalizumab prescriptions recorded during the same period last year. In Puglia and Umbria, Celltrion expects Omlyclo to account for more than 80% of total omalizumab supply by year-end.
The company expects prescription growth to accelerate further as supply expands into additional regions where tender and contracting procedures are currently underway. Celltrion said Omlyclo is expected not only to replace demand for the original branded drug but also to expand the overall omalizumab treatment market.
Celltrion’s autoimmune disease biosimilars are also continuing to win public tenders. Steqeyma, its ustekinumab biosimilar, has secured supply contracts in nine regions, while Avtozma, its tocilizumab biosimilar, has won contracts in seven of the nine regions where tenders have been completed. Avtozma is expected to begin full-scale shipments in the second half of the year once contracting procedures are finalized.
The company’s flagship biosimilars continue to maintain leading market positions. According to IQVIA, as of the first quarter, Yuflyma, Celltrion’s adalimumab biosimilar, held a 46% market share in Italy, while Vegzelma, its bevacizumab biosimilar, led the market with a 66% share.
Italy is one of Europe’s largest pharmaceutical markets, alongside Germany, France, the U.K. and Spain. Because biosimilar suppliers are selected through regional public tenders, contract wins have a direct impact on market share and revenue growth.
Celltrion said expanding tenders and increasing supplies of its newer products across Italy and other European markets helped drive its record second-quarter performance this year. The company expects growth to continue in the second half as deliveries begin in regions where it recently secured contracts.
“New products, including Omlyclo, are gaining momentum with a series of successful tenders across key regions, allowing supply and sales to ramp up,” Yoo Won-sik, head of Celltrion Italy, said. “We will continue expanding our tender participation and regional coverage in the second half to sustain growth in the Italian market.”