Latest news with #Steqeyma
Korea Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Celltrion's Steqeyma gains wider insurance coverage in US
South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion announced Thursday that it has signed a second major deal with one of the top five pharmacy benefit managers in the US, securing private insurance coverage for its autoimmune disease treatment, Steqeyma (ustekinumab). Starting July 1, Steqeyma will be eligible for reimbursement through the newly secured PBM, significantly broadening patient access. This agreement follows an earlier deal finalized on April 3 with one of the top three PBMs in the US, giving Steqeyma a foothold in both public and private insurance formularies. With these two contracts, Celltrion now covers nearly 30 percent of the US pharmaceutical insurance market, which is an impressive milestone achieved within a month of the company's US launch. Celltrion's prior success with its other autoimmune treatments, such as Zymfentra and Yuflyma, has helped build trust among US health care providers. The company plans to leverage its expanded product portfolio for bundled marketing strategies, enhancing its competitiveness in the US market. According to pharmaceutical market research firm IQVIA, the global market for ustekinumab reached $21.6 billion in 2024, with the US accounting for nearly 77 percent. Celltrion aims to further strengthen collaboration with doctors, insurers and patient groups to ensure broad access to Steqeyma.
Korea Herald
13-03-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Celltrion launches Stelara biosimilar in US
South Korean biopharmaceutical company Celltrion announced Thursday that it has launched Steqeyma (ustekinumab), a biosimilar treatment for autoimmune diseases, in the US market. Steqeyma, a biosimilar of Johnson & Johnson's blockbuster drug Stelara, received full-label approval from the US Food and Drug Administration last December for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The treatment is available in intravenous and subcutaneous formulations, allowing for flexible dosing options based on patient needs. Celltrion is launching Steqeyma at an 85 percent lower wholesale acquisition cost, or WAC, than Stelara. The company said this pricing strategy is expected to enhance profitability in the US insurance market, where high rebate rates are common. The company also aims to attract major pharmacy benefit managers and uninsured patients under the lower WAC version with reduced rebates. Celltrion is currently under negotiation with leading PBMs, including the three largest in the US, with some contracts nearing completion. To accelerate early market penetration, Celltrion is leveraging its direct sales distribution network, which it previously built for its biosimilars, including Zymfentra and Yuflyma. 'We are implementing an aggressive marketing strategy from the very start to secure early market share,' said Kim Bon-joong, CEO of Celltrion USA. 'With our expanding product lineup, we expect strong growth and aim to solidify our position as a leading provider of autoimmune disease treatments in the world's largest pharmaceutical market.' According to pharmaceutical market research firm IQVIA, the global ustekinumab market was estimated at approximately $20.4 billion in 2023, with the US accounting for 77 percent of sales at $15.6 billion.
Korea Herald
13-03-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Celltrion launches autoimmune disease treatment in US
Celltrion Inc., a major South Korean biopharmaceutical firm, said Thursday it has launched its biosimilar product for Stelara, an autoimmune disease treatment, in the United States. Steqeyma, a treatment for plaque psoriasis, Crohn's disease, active psoriatic arthritis and ulcerative colitis, is Celltrion's seventh biosimilar product that has hit the US market, the company said in a press release. The US Food and Drug Administration approved the biosimilar drug in both intravenous and subcutaneous formulations in December, it said. Celltrion has been making efforts to expand its presence in the US biosimilar market. In recent months, it has obtained FDA approval for the US sale of several biosimilars, including Avtozma, an autoimmune disease biosimilar to Actemra, as well as Stoboclo and Osenvelt, biosimilar drugs to Prolia and Xgeva. The global market for Stelara is estimated at US$10.36 billion, with the US accounting for two-thirds of global sales. Celltrion aims to commercialize 22 biosimilar products in global markets by 2030. (Yonhap)
