Celltrion Healthcare "Uplima Listed as Preferred Drug by US PBM Ventegra"

Coverage Secured for Preferred Drugs Covering 20% of US Population
"Will Continue Success with Follow-up Products"

Celltrion Healthcare is increasing contracts for formulary listings of the Humira biosimilar for autoimmune disease treatment, 'Yuflyma' (generic name: adalimumab), in the U.S. market.

Humira biosimilar 'Yuflyma' for autoimmune disease treatment, a US product.
[Photo by Celltrion Healthcare]

On the 5th, Celltrion Healthcare announced that it signed a contract last September with VantageRx, a major U.S. Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM), to list Yuflyma as a preferred drug.

Through this contract, Yuflyma will receive reimbursement coverage in both public and private insurance markets managed by VantageRx. This corresponds to approximately 4% of the U.S. population.

Celltrion Healthcare emphasized that Yuflyma's unique product competitiveness, the company's commercial capabilities, and supply stability were key strengths that helped it secure the VantageRx contract, surpassing competing products. Previously, last month, Celltrion Healthcare had listed Yuflyma as a preferred drug on the public insurance formulary managed by Optum, one of the top three PBMs in the U.S. The company stated that through the VantageRx contract, it has achieved coverage of about 20% of the U.S. population.

Additional formulary listings are also anticipated. As discussions continue with multiple PBMs and marketing activities such as patient support programs are ramping up, this is expected to accelerate. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Yuflyma in 80 mg and 20 mg dosages is also a positive factor for further listings. This will enable prescriptions tailored to patient and healthcare provider needs, enhancing treatment convenience.

Celltrion Healthcare plans to expand marketing activities to ensure that Yuflyma is listed in insurance markets covering 40% of the U.S. population by the end of the year through favorable negotiations with PBMs.

Francine Galante, Head of Celltrion Healthcare’s U.S. subsidiary, stated, "We are doing our best to increase access to biosimilars in the world’s largest pharmaceutical market, the U.S., so that patients have more treatment options. Through formulary listings in public and private insurance managed by VantageRx, patient access to Yuflyma treatment will be further improved, which will significantly enhance the quality of life for autoimmune disease patients in the U.S."

Thomas Nussbickel, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Celltrion Healthcare’s U.S. subsidiary, said, "The VantageRx contract has secured a more advantageous position in the U.S. adalimumab market, providing growth momentum to rapidly expand Yuflyma’s influence. This achievement is the result of expert personnel with experience and know-how in the U.S. pharmaceutical market leading negotiations with customized strategies considering market characteristics. Having gained strong confidence in direct sales in the U.S., we will make every effort to ensure that follow-up products, such as 'Zimpentra' (the U.S. product name for Remsima SC), scheduled for launch in 2024, also achieve good results in the U.S. market."

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