This file photo provided by Celltrion Inc. shows its biosimilar Avtozma. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Korea Bizwire) – Celltrion Inc., a major South Korean biopharmaceutical company, said Friday it has launched its biosimilar Avtozma for the treatment of autoimmune diseases in three European countries.
The launches in Germany, Spain and France follow approvals last year from local authorities for both the intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) formulations of Avtozma, the company said in a press release.
Celltrion said it plans to launch the drug in Britain and Italy as well. The IV formulation of Avtozma was launched in the United States in October.
“The company aims to rapidly expand its presence in the global autoimmune disease biosimilar market for tocilizumab-based products, leveraging its brand recognition and sales experience in Europe,” a company official said.
The global market for Actemra, Avtozma’s reference drug developed by Switzerland’s Roche, was valued at 4.5 trillion won (US$3.14 billion) in 2024.
Celltrion has been expanding its global biosimilar portfolio, increasing the number of approved products from six to 11. The company aims to commercialize 18 biosimilars by 2030 and 41 by 2038.
Its only original drug, Zymfentra, is currently sold in the United States to treat autoimmune diseases. The same product is marketed as Remsima SC in Europe and other regions.
Celltrion projected its annual operating profit will exceed 1 trillion won for the first time in 2025 on strong sales of flagship biosimilars, such as Remsima SC, Steqeyma, Yuflyma and Vegzelma.
(Yonhap)
