Celltrion secures major PBM contract for Yuflyma in the US

Celltrion said Yuflyma (ingredient: adalimumab), a biosimilar referencing Humira, has been included in the formulary of one of the top three pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the U.S. The three largest PBMs in the U.S., which include CVS Health, Express Scripts, and Optum, collectively manage about 80 percent of the market.

While the specific PBM has not been disclosed, the company noted that it was the same PBM that had previously included its subcutaneous (SC) Remicade biosimilar, Zymfentra (ingredient: infliximab), in its formulary.

However, as Yuflyma was already part of Optum's formulary last year, this new listing is likely with either CVS Health or Express Scripts.

AbbVie's Humira, the original medicine, is prescribed primarily for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis. Yuflyma is FDA-approved to treat eight conditions, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It was launched in the U.S. market in July of the previous year.

The inclusion of Yuflyma in additional PBM formularies means that the treatment is now accessible to approximately 50 percent of U.S.-insured individuals. Celltrion has stated that it plans to continue negotiations swiftly with the remaining major PBM and smaller PBMs to expand access further.

Celltrion plans to maximize profitability by offering products at higher wholesale prices in the public insurance market with lower rebates and lower wholesale prices in the private insurance market with higher rebates.