Celltrion is ramping up its global expansion by capturing significant market share in key Asian and Latin American markets, including Japan. The biotech firm’s strategy involves leveraging its established sales network for flagship products to introduce new offerings, thus creating fresh growth opportunities beyond its strongholds in the U.S. and Europe.
On Tuesday, Celltrion revealed that its autoimmune disease treatment, Remsima (infliximab), has clinched the top spot in Japan’s infliximab prescription market. As of July, it commanded a 48% market share, outperforming the original drug.
Remsima, a biosimilar to the original drug Remicade, is used to treat autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. Biosimilars are highly similar to original biologics in terms of quality, safety, and efficacy.
In Japan, Celltrion’s cancer drugs are also performing well, with Herzuma (trastuzumab) and Vegzelma (bevacizumab) securing 78% and 64% market shares, respectively. Remsima has dominated several Asian markets in the first quarter, capturing 93% in Singapore, 84% in Hong Kong, 78% in Thailand, and 72% in Malaysia.
The company is making strides in Latin America too. Remsima has seized about 60% of Brazil’s private market, while in Costa Rica, both Remsima and Truxima are approaching total market dominance. In Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, and Paraguay, Celltrion’s key products have secured over 80% market share.
As of Q3 2026, Celltrion operates in 43 countries globally, with 13 subsidiaries strategically located in emerging markets across Asia and Latin America. The company has bolstered its Japanese workforce to over 80 employees, with a quarter of its overseas staff now based in these growth regions.
Celltrion is capitalizing on its established distribution channels to introduce new products. In Japan, it recently launched an intravenous formulation of Steqeyma (ustekinumab) for autoimmune diseases and plans to introduce Remsima SC by 2027. The company is also preparing to launch Omlyclo (omalizumab) and Stoboclo (denosumab) in Thailand.
Celltrion reported impressive Q3 results, with provisional consolidated revenues of 1.5 trillion KRW (about 1.12 billion USD) and operating profits of 510 billion KRW (383.6 million USD). Building on its success in the U.S. and Europe, the company aims to boost global sales and profitability by expanding its portfolio of high-margin products in Asian and Latin American markets.
A Celltrion spokesperson highlighted the significance of Remsima’s market leadership in Japan, stating that this achievement underscores the strength of the product and the effectiveness of the global marketing strategy. It’s committed to accelerating new product launches in Asia and Latin America to diversify the global growth drivers.
