Samsung Bioepis participated in the European Renal Association's annual conference (ERA Congress 2024), which was held in Sweden from last Thursday to Sunday.

Samsung Bioepis operated an independent booth to introduce the company to key stakeholders in nephrology. Through these efforts, the company made the efficacy and value of Epysqli (eculizumab), a rare disease treatment sold in Europe, widely known.

Epysqli is a biosimilar to Soliris, developed by Alexion, a rare disease treatment for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS).

PNH and aHUS are diseases that cost hundreds of millions of won per year to treat. Samsung Bioepis has launched Epysqli at an affordable price to improve patient access to these highly expensive medicines.

Samsung Bioepis received marketing authorization for Epysqli for PNH in Europe in May last year and launched the product in July of the same year, selling it directly through its European subsidiaries.

In March, the company received an additional indication for aHUS in Europe, and its participation in this year’s ERA congress will allow it to spread the value of Epysqli as a treatment for aHUS.

"Epysqli maximizes the business value of biosimilars by making ultra-high-priced biologics affordable and accessible. We will strive to provide treatment opportunities to more patients through active global market development in rare diseases," said Lee So-young, managing director of commercial strategy at Samsung Bioepis.

In Korea, Samsung Bioepis launched Epysqli in April this year at half the cost of prescribing original drugs and is selling the product directly without a partner.

Samsung Bioepis said it would continue expanding the supply of biosimilar products in various fields to improve access to treatment for patients suffering from diseases and contribute to reducing national health insurance finances, thereby creating a virtuous cycle in the medical field.