Samsung Bioepis Launches Eylea Biosimilar "Opuviz" in Europe

Direct Sales Launched in Europe

Samsung Bioepis has launched Opuviz (active ingredient: aflibercept), a treatment for ophthalmic diseases, in the European market.

Product image of Opuviz, the Aylia biosimilar launched in Europe by Samsung Bioepis. Samsung Bioepis

According to industry sources on June 1, Samsung Bioepis has introduced the low-concentration formulation (40mg/mL) of Opuviz, the biosimilar of Aflibercept (brand name Eylea), through a direct sales model in Europe.

Opuviz is a biosimilar of Eylea, originally developed by Regeneron in the United States. It is used to treat ophthalmic diseases such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration, and works by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to prevent the formation of abnormal new blood vessels. The annual global sales of the original Eylea are approximately 12 trillion won.

Following the launch of the Lucentis biosimilar Byooviz in Europe in January, the release of Opuviz allows Samsung Bioepis to further expand its portfolio of ophthalmology products.

The company now offers a total of five products through direct sales in Europe. Since launching the Soliris biosimilar Epysqli in 2023, Samsung Bioepis has been building a direct sales system and expanding its business scope beyond development, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals to include commercialization capabilities.

Linda Choi, Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial at Samsung Bioepis, stated, "The launch of Opuviz enables us to offer more treatment options to patients with ophthalmic diseases. Through biosimilars, we aim to address unmet medical needs and contribute to reducing healthcare costs."

The Eylea biosimilar from Samsung Bioepis is marketed in Korea under the product name Apilibu, with distribution managed by Samil Pharmaceutical.

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