Celltrion: "Oncology Biosimilars Maintain No. 1 Market Share in Japan"

Begzelma 58%, Herzuma 76%
Expanding Product Portfolio with New Launches

Celltrion announced on March 16 that its oncology biosimilar products are maintaining a high share of prescriptions in the Japanese market.

Celltrion corporate logo image. Celltrion

According to pharmaceutical market research firm IQVIA and local data, as of December last year, Celltrion’s bevacizumab biosimilar Begzelma recorded a 58% market share in Japan. This figure exceeds the combined market share of four competing products, including the original drug Avastin.

Begzelma, an anticancer agent used for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer and breast cancer, currently ranks first in prescriptions among five competing products in the Japanese market. Since surpassing a 50% market share in September last year, its market presence has continued to grow.

The trastuzumab biosimilar Herzuma, launched earlier, is also performing strongly in Japan. At the same point in time, Herzuma held a 76% market share, accounting for approximately three-quarters of the trastuzumab prescription market in Japan.

Since its launch in Japan in 2019, Herzuma’s prescriptions have increased rapidly. After first surpassing the market share of the original drug Herceptin in the second quarter of 2021, Herzuma has maintained the number one prescription position for about four and a half years.

Celltrion explained that Japan’s Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) system has created a favorable environment for the expansion of biosimilars. Under this system, medical institutions can secure a portion of the cost savings when they use drugs with lower prices.

Celltrion is also increasing its market share in treatments for autoimmune diseases. The infliximab biosimilar Remsima achieved a 43% market share in Japan, while the adalimumab biosimilar Yuflyma reached 17%, representing the highest prescription volume among biosimilars in its category.

Celltrion plans to further expand its product portfolio in Japan this year. Following the launch of the ustekinumab biosimilar Stekyma in August last year, the company is preparing to release the tocilizumab biosimilar Aptozma in the second quarter of this year.

Ho-woong Kim, Executive Vice President of Celltrion’s Global Sales Division, stated, “Our major products continue to lead prescriptions in the Japanese market,” adding, “We will strengthen our market competitiveness through the launch of new products.”

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