Celltrion Completes Stekima Launch in Five Major European Countries

Accelerating Expansion of Prescriptions
Through 'Synergy' in Autoimmune Disease Portfolio

Stekima. Photo by Celltrion

Celltrion has completed the launch of its autoimmune disease treatment 'Stekima' (ingredient name: ustekinumab) in the five major European countries-Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France-and has begun a full-scale push to capture the market, leveraging portfolio synergies.

On January 20 (local time), Celltrion launched Stekima in France, one of the major European markets. Celltrion's French subsidiary is conducting promotional activities targeting inflammatory bowel disease specialists and patients to coincide with the launch of Stekima. In particular, since the same physicians prescribe the 'Remsima product family' (ingredient name: infliximab), 'Yuflyma' (ingredient name: adalimumab), and Stekima, the company plans to actively utilize the extensive human network built through existing product sales to quickly secure market share. In addition, starting next month, Celltrion will launch an observational study of Stekima and carry out tailored marketing activities that address physicians' needs, aiming to penetrate the French autoimmune disease market.

In another key market, the United Kingdom, Stekima was launched on December 2 last year. In the UK, the patent for ustekinumab's ulcerative colitis indication was invalidated early, allowing Celltrion to secure all indications, including plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn's disease, thereby enhancing marketability. Notably, Celltrion's UK subsidiary had already secured National Health Service (NHS) tender contracts in four administrative regions prior to the launch, laying the foundation for stable product supply.

Furthermore, ongoing research support for major NHS-affiliated hospitals such as Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in London has helped build trust-based relationships, which is expected to significantly boost Stekima's recognition and preference among healthcare professionals.

In mid-January, Stekima was also launched in Italy and Spain, marking the start of Celltrion's market expansion there. Led by its local subsidiaries, Celltrion is implementing customized sales strategies tailored to each country's pharmaceutical market characteristics, such as government and hospital tenders, to secure an early foothold in the ustekinumab market. Locally, Celltrion is recognized not only for supplying high-efficacy biopharmaceuticals at reasonable prices but also for its robust distribution network established through existing product sales. As a result, Stekima is expected to play a positive role in improving patient access to medical care.

Celltrion plans to accelerate the expansion of Stekima prescriptions by actively leveraging synergies within its autoimmune disease treatment portfolio. Physicians must prescribe the most suitable treatment based on patient condition and may switch to another first-line therapy in cases of resistance or reduced efficacy. Celltrion, with four autoimmune disease products including Stekima, can reliably guarantee a wide range of treatment options for prescribing physicians. Additionally, the ability to employ various sales strategies, such as bundling and linking with existing products, is expected to further boost Stekima sales.

Kim Dongkyu, head of Celltrion's French subsidiary, stated, "Building on the trust in the Celltrion brand established through existing product sales, the launch of Stekima has enabled us to offer a comprehensive autoimmune disease portfolio, ranging from tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors to interleukin (IL) inhibitors. This has raised expectations among local healthcare professionals and patients. Given the clear sales synergies between products, we will actively pursue marketing activities from the outset to ensure that Stekima becomes a key driver of Celltrion's performance growth."

Meanwhile, according to pharmaceutical market research firm IQVIA, the European ustekinumab market was estimated at approximately $3.1 billion (about KRW 4.34 trillion) in 2023, while the global market reached about $20.4 billion (about KRW 28.56 trillion). Celltrion plans to expand the number of European countries where Stekima is sold this year and to launch the product in the United States, the world's largest pharmaceutical market, as part of its strategy to target the global ustekinumab market.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.