Celltrion said Monday that it has launched Steqeyma (ingredient: ustekinumab), its biosimilar to Stelara, in Germany, aiming to enhance its leadership in the biopharmaceutical sector by expanding its product portfolio for autoimmune disease treatment.

The company introduced Steqeyma in Germany, one of Europe’s top five markets, last Friday. Celltrionn said its German branch expedited the launch by completing pricing registration and setting up the prescribing system in advance, following a market-tailored strategy. Prior to the launch, Celltrion participated in the German Gastroenterology Congress to promote Steqeyma's competitive advantages and enhance brand recognition and prescription preference among local healthcare professionals.

On the same day, Celltrion also launched Steqeyma in the Netherlands, where its Dutch branch secured a bid from Inkoopcombinatie Ziekenhuis Apotheken Academische Ziekenhuizen (iZAAZ), a pharmaceutical procurement group. According to Celltrion, iZAAZ is recognized as a primary supply channel with significant influence across Dutch university hospitals. This bid covers approximately 27 percent of the ustekinumab market in the Netherlands, with Steqeyma expected to be supplied for about two years starting this month.

In Finland, a key market in Northern Europe, Steqeyma is slated for release in mid-November, with plans to establish an early market lead through ongoing communications with major healthcare stakeholders.

Additionally, Celltrion plans to launch Steqeyma in Ireland later this month. The local branch will attend the Irish Society of Gastroenterology Winter Meeting in Dublin, starting on Nov. 21, to promote the product.

“Celltrion has an integrated structure that covers the entire industry process from manufacturing to sales, which allows us to maintain a more stable pharmaceutical supply in Europe than other biotech companies. We leverage this competitive advantage to drive our success,” said Ha Tae-hun, head of Celltrion's European operations.

Meanwhile, pharmaceutical market research firm IQVIA estimated the global ustekinumab market size at approximately $20.4 billion last year. A Celltrion official said the company plans to quickly expand Steqeyma's availability across European countries through next year, intensifying its efforts to capture early market share.