Celltrion dominates Central American market with cancer treatments

Celltrion said on Thursday that its cancer treatments are dominating the market in Central America through successful national bids.

In Costa Rica, one of the region's key markets, Celltrion's oncology products have secured more than 90 percent of the market. The company’s blood cancer treatment, Truxima (rituximab), has been continuously supplied since its launch in 2019, winning national bids every year through the Central American distribution partner SteinCares, securing contracts for six consecutive years. Additionally, Celltrion's breast and gastric cancer treatment, Herzuma (trastuzumab), has won bids since 2021, solidifying its presence in the Costa Rican market.

In neighboring Ecuador, the company has also maintained a strong bidding record. Both Truxima and Herzuma have been successful in securing national contracts annually since their respective launches in 2018 and 2019, holding a market share of around 90 percent.

In Guatemala, Truxima now holds a 70 percent market share, while in the Dominican Republic, both Truxima and Herzuma dominate with an 80 percent share, maintaining the top spot for prescriptions by a wide margin.

In addition, Celltrion said it is achieving significant results in the autoimmune disease sector. Its leading product, Remsima (infliximab), has surpassed a 90 percent market share in both the Dominican Republic and Panama. Notably, in Panama, where the drug was launched in January of this year, it has quickly gained market dominance in its first year of sales.

In most Central American countries, pharmaceuticals are supplied through a national bidding system, where winning a bid often secures an almost monopolistic market share. “It's common for the supply period to be extended rather than re-tendered after the initial contract expires, making early success in the bidding process crucial,” Celltrion said.

The company explained that it has carefully analyzed the characteristics of the Central American pharmaceutical market, leveraging its product competitiveness and supply stability to quickly secure national bids upon product launches. Celltrion has also built strong networks with key stakeholders, including national bidding agencies and influential prescribers at public hospitals, accelerating its market dominance.

This month, Celltrion plans to begin the launch of its new cancer treatment Vegzelma (bevacizumab) in Ecuador, marking another expansion in its Central American portfolio. With the addition of Vegzelma to its existing lineup of Truxima and Herzuma, the company said it aims to strengthen its sales competitiveness with a more robust product portfolio.

Celltrion also plans to expand its autoimmune disease offerings in the region by launching follow-up products such as Remsima SC, the world’s only subcutaneous infliximab formulation, and Yuflyma (adalimumab).

“Celltrion’s biopharmaceuticals are achieving outstanding prescription results not only in larger markets like Brazil and Colombia but also in Central America, where geographic advantages serve as key footholds,” said Kang Kyung-doo, head of Celltrion’s Latin America division. “We plan to strengthen the market dominance of our existing products while enhancing our sales capabilities to ensure success with upcoming launches like Vegzelma.”