Celltrion Accelerates Direct Sales Success in Italy... Secures Market Lead with "Omniclo"

"Omniclo" Successfully Established in 15 Regions Across Italy
Stekima and Aptozma Secure Regional Bid Awards
Record Second Quarter Performance, Continued Growth Expected in the Second Half

Celltrion is strengthening its direct sales operations in Italy by expanding the supply of new product lines, including the biosimilar "Omniclo" (ingredient: omalizumab).

Celltrion Omriclo. Celltrion

According to Celltrion on July 31, Omniclo, a treatment for chronic spontaneous urticaria and allergic asthma that was launched at the end of last year, is currently available in 15 regions across Italy. Among these, Celltrion is the only supplier of omalizumab to have secured contracts with the regional governments in seven areas.

In the regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, the cumulative sales of Omniclo from January to May this year surpassed the total omalizumab prescriptions for the same period last year. The company forecasts that in the regions of Apulia and Umbria, Omniclo will account for more than 80% of the total omalizumab supply in these areas by the end of the year.

Celltrion expects that if the supply expands to other regions where bidding and contract procedures are still underway, the rate of prescription growth will accelerate. The company anticipates that Omniclo will not only replace existing demand for original drugs, but also help expand the overall prescription base for omalizumab treatments in Italy.

New autoimmune disease therapies introduced last year are also continuing to deliver strong bidding results. Stekima (ingredient: ustekinumab) has won bids and is being sold in nine regions, while Aptozma (ingredient: tocilizumab) has successfully secured contracts in seven out of nine regions where bidding was conducted. Aptozma is expected to see full-scale supply and prescription once the contract process is finalized in the second half of the year.

Celltrion's autoimmune therapy Yuflyma (ingredient: adalimumab) and anti-cancer drug Vegzelma (ingredient: bevacizumab) are also maintaining steady sales. According to pharmaceutical market research firm IQVIA, as of the first quarter of this year, Yuflyma and Vegzelma recorded market shares of 46% and 66% respectively in Italy, ranking first in each category.

Celltrion explained that its sales performance in Italy and across Europe contributed to a record high for the second quarter of this year. The company expects that ongoing bid awards, expanded supply of new product lines, and increasing prescriptions will drive continued growth in the second half of the year as well.

Wonshik Yoo, Head of Celltrion's Italian subsidiary, stated, "Our new product lineup, including Omniclo, is achieving strong bidding results in key regions. As product supply and sales ramp up, we are securing a rapid foothold in the local market. We will continue to do our utmost in the second half of the year to strengthen the presence of new biosimilars through active participation in bids and expanded supply regions, maintaining our growth momentum in the Italian market."

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