Celltrion Signs Exclusive Supply Deal for Omlyclo, Aptozma with U.S. Healthcare Company

Insurance reimbursement begins this month
Omlyclo also secures deal with U.S. distributor

Celltrion has secured a series of exclusive supply contracts in the United States for Omlyclo, a treatment for allergic diseases (generic name: omalizumab), and Aptozma, a treatment for autoimmune diseases (generic name: tocilizumab), beating their originator drugs. The agreements are seen as broadening the sales base for the new products in the United States by securing access to insurers, hospitals and major distribution networks at the same time.

On the 26th, Celltrion said its U.S. subsidiary signed an exclusive supply agreement early this month with a major local healthcare company for the prefilled syringe (PFS) formulation of Omlyclo and all formulations of Aptozma (intravenous and subcutaneous injections).

The company is reportedly affiliated with a group that includes several large hospitals, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). In the United States, PBMs manage prescription drug lists, known as formularies, on behalf of insurers and negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies. Whether a drug is listed on a formulary can significantly affect its prescription volume.

Under the agreement, Omlyclo and Aptozma will be listed as preferred drugs on the insurer's formulary and supplied to its affiliated healthcare facilities. Supply of the products and insurance reimbursement coverage began this month, allowing the insurer's members to receive treatment with the two products, covered by their insurance, with a prescription from a healthcare professional. Celltrion believes that its existing partnership with the company helped secure the agreement. Celltrion has built that relationship by supplying products including its bone disease treatments Stoboclo and Osenvelt (generic name: denosumab) to the company's large hospitals.

Omlyclo has also secured a supply agreement with a major global distributor in the United States. As the first omalizumab biosimilar launched in the country, Omlyclo has been rapidly expanding its supply channels since its initial launch.

The agreement also gives Celltrion a basis for targeting both insured and uninsured markets. Omlyclo has been listed as an exclusive preferred drug, ahead of the originator, under the distributor's health insurance plan for approximately 350,000 employees, except in some cases where the vial formulation is required. The product has also been added to a drug discount program serving approximately 74 million members, allowing uninsured individuals and their dependents to purchase Omlyclo at a discount from the distributor's pharmacies and its partner pharmacies.

Celltrion is also negotiating with multiple major PBMs to secure formulary listings for its high-margin new products. With negotiations nearing completion, the company expects the agreements to be signed within the fourth quarter. Celltrion plans to expand its U.S. direct-sales network, built through sales of existing products, and its network of insurers, healthcare providers and distributors to support its follow-on products. It also aims to increase the share of high-margin new products to drive both business growth and improved profitability in the United States.

Kim Bonjung, CEO of Celltrion's U.S. subsidiary, said, "Omlyclo and Aptozma have entered the supply channels of major healthcare and distribution companies from the early stages of their U.S. launches. We will turn the finalized supply agreements into actual prescriptions and sales growth, and swiftly conclude ongoing negotiations for listings with major PBMs to broaden the growth base for our new products in the United States."

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