Celltrion expands footprint in Italy with continued wins for autoimmune and oncology drugs

Celltrion is strengthening its presence in Italy, one of Europe’s top five pharmaceutical markets, by securing a string of supply contracts for its autoimmune disease therapies and oncology treatments.

Celltrion’s Italian subsidiary recently won additional tenders for its ustekinumab biosimilar, Steqeyma, in the Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Sardinia regions, following earlier contracts in four regions this year.

The company will supply the drug to seven regions in total through May 2026. Launched in Italy in January, Steqeyma has rapidly expanded its bidding success, raising expectations for swift market penetration.

The company’s flagship infliximab biosimilar Remsima (IV and SC formulations) also continues to secure contracts. Remsima IV won a recent tender in Umbria, while Remsima SC renewed its contract in Puglia, extending supply through May 2027.

Sardinia, which was previously the only Italian region without Remsima SC supply, recently introduced a dedicated subcutaneous infliximab tender, meaning the product is now available in all 20 regional health authorities across the country.

These wins are translating into market dominance.

According to IQVIA data for the first quarter of 2025, the combined market share of Remsima IV and SC reached 66 percent in Italy’s infliximab segment.

Celltrion’s adalimumab biosimilar Yuflyma is also gaining traction, with sales underway in Lazio and Umbria under contracts that will run for the next two to three years. Despite launching three years after competitors, Yuflyma has captured 52 percent market share in its regions, leading prescriptions in the category.

In oncology, the company’s rituximab biosimilar Truxima and bevacizumab biosimilar Vegzelma secured tenders in Lazio and Umbria, respectively, and began supply in the first half of 2025.

These contracts have helped Truxima reach a 29 percent market share, Vegzelma 30 percent, and trastuzumab biosimilar Herzuma 29 percent, placing all three oncology products among Italy’s top-prescribed treatments in their classes.

Additional tenders for these products are scheduled in the second half of the year.

Celltrion attributes its success to a tailored direct-sales model introduced in Italy in 2020, which has enabled close relationships with tender authorities and key healthcare professionals, supported by flexible pricing, supply stability, and product competitiveness. With new high-margin biosimilars set for launch later this year, the company anticipates accelerated growth.

“Building on strong trust among Italy’s healthcare stakeholders, our autoimmune and oncology portfolios have achieved successive tender wins, reinforcing our influence in one of Europe’s largest pharmaceutical markets,” Celltrion’s Italian subsidiary Head Yoo Won-sik said. “We plan to maintain momentum in the second half through new product launches and further tender successes, driving prescription growth and performance across our portfolio.”