Celltrion Launches Autoimmune Disease Treatment 'Aptozuma' in the U.S.

Securing Competitiveness with Wholesale Price 35% Lower Than the Original
Listed as a Preferred Drug in U.S. Insurer Formularies

Celltrion has officially entered the U.S. market for autoimmune disease treatments by launching 'Aptozuma' (ingredient name: tocilizumab), aiming to secure an early lead in the sector.

Celltrion's autoimmune disease treatment 'Aptozuma' IV formulation. Celltrion

According to Celltrion on October 13, Aptozuma, which has just been launched, is an intravenous (IV) formulation. Like other recent Celltrion products introduced in the U.S., it will be sold directly through the company’s local subsidiary.

The product has been introduced at a wholesale price in the U.S. that is approximately 35% lower than the original drug. The price was set after a comprehensive analysis of the pricing of previously launched competing products and the unique characteristics of the U.S. tocilizumab market, aiming to ensure both competitiveness and profitability. With this strategy, Celltrion plans to secure an early foothold in the market.

Aptozuma is an interleukin inhibitor that reduces inflammation by suppressing the interleukin (IL)-6 protein, which is involved in triggering inflammation in the body. In January this year, Celltrion received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for both the IV and subcutaneous (SC) formulations of Aptozuma. The product has been approved for all the same indications as the original drug, including rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, COVID-19, and cytokine release syndrome.

Upon its launch, Aptozuma was listed as a Preferred Drug in the formulary operated by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) in Minnesota, one of the major insurance providers in the U.S. BCBS is a health insurance federation operating state-specific plans across the United States and has over 100 million members. In addition to BCBS, Celltrion is currently negotiating with other major players, including the top three pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the U.S.

Celltrion also expects to generate marketing synergy from the fact that Aptozuma is an autoimmune disease treatment, like its previously launched products Zympentra (ingredient name: infliximab), Yuflyma (adalimumab), and Stekima (ustekinumab). The company plans to actively leverage the local distribution networks and relationships established through the launch and sales of these existing products in the U.S. subsidiary, communicating closely with various stakeholder groups such as insurers, PBMs, and prescribing specialists to rapidly expand its market influence.

Celltrion is also strengthening its sales competitiveness by expanding its team of specialists to increase prescriptions of Aptozuma, particularly in the key indication of rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, with plans to launch the SC formulation of Aptozuma, the company will pursue a marketing strategy targeting all major distribution channels-including hospitals and pharmacies-while offering customized treatment options tailored to patient needs.

Thomas Nusbeickel, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Celltrion USA, stated, "We plan to accelerate the market establishment of Aptozuma by actively utilizing the robust network channels and marketing capabilities we have built through direct sales of our existing products. We will make every effort to ensure Aptozuma becomes a treatment that improves healthcare accessibility and quality of life for more patients."

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