Celltrion’s autoimmune disease therapy Yuflyma (ingredient: adalimumab) is rapidly emerging as a dominant player in Europe, posting strong prescription growth across the region despite entering the market three years later than its rivals.

According to pharmaceutical market research firm IQVIA, Yuflyma ranked second with a 24 percent market share in Europe in the first quarter of 2025, up three percentage points from the previous quarter.

In Italy, one of the EU5 countries, Yuflyma captured a 52 percent market share in the first quarter, up five percentage points from the previous quarter, surpassing the halfway mark for the first time.

In the U.K., its market share climbed by five percentage points to 33 percent. The drug also recorded a 47 percent share in Finland, while achieving 21 percent in Portugal and 20 percent in the Netherlands.

This performance is particularly notable given that more than 10 adalimumab products, including the originator Humira, have received approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), creating an intensely competitive environment.

Launched in the third quarter of 2021, Yuflyma entered the market three years after the first wave of adalimumab biosimilars in Europe.

Celltrion attributed Yuflyma’s breakthrough to the company’s robust direct sales strategy in Europe.

The drug was Celltrion’s second product to be launched under its direct-to-market system, following the success of Remsima SC (ingredient: infliximab). Leveraging its experience in tender procurement, hospital sales, and stakeholder network management from its Remsima franchise, Celltrion was able to accelerate Yuflyma’s uptake in the region.

The company tapped into its established network of healthcare providers and actively targeted patients with autoimmune diseases who required switching therapies due to resistance from prolonged use of a single agent.

With a strong foothold in the infliximab market, Celltrion was able to capitalize on this switching trend by offering both infliximab and adalimumab therapies, creating synergistic opportunities within its portfolio.

“The fact that Yuflyma has joined the leading prescription group despite launching three years later than competitors demonstrates the strength of Celltrion’s direct sales capabilities, which can even surpass the advantages of a first-mover,” a Celltrion official said. “With new high-margin products set to launch by year-end, we plan to actively leverage portfolio synergies to further expand sales for Yuflyma and our entire product lineup.”