Celltrion accelerates influence in Europe with physician engagement and new launches

Celltrion is stepping up its presence in Europe, one of its key global markets, by combining active communication with healthcare professionals and a wave of new product launches.

The company aims to reinforce its competitiveness through country-specific direct sales strategies and the steady growth of its existing portfolio.

In the EU autoimmune disease market, Celltrion’s Remsima continues to lead the infliximab segment with a 60 percent share in the first quarter of this year.

Its subcutaneous formulation, Remsima SC, has also gained traction, reaching 27 percent market share across the five largest European markets, while its oncology biosimilars Truxima and Vegzelma posted stable growth with 29 percent and 23 percent share, respectively.

Building on this foundation, Celltrion has begun rolling out Steqeyma, another autoimmune biosimilar referencing Stelara (ingredient: ustekinumab), in major European countries since late last year.

Its osteoporosis biosimilar treatments, Stoboclo-Osenvelt, is set for European launch later this year.

Most notably, the company entered the dermatology field with Omlyclo, the world’s first Xolair (ingredient: omalizumab) biosimilar, which recently debuted in Europe as a first-mover product for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).

Novartis’ blockbuster Xolair generated global sales of about 6.5 trillion won ($4.6 billion) last year. By securing first approvals for the biosimilar in Europe and the U.S., Celltrion is moving quickly to capture market share.

EADV debut spotlights Omlyclo’s clinical impact

At the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress held in Paris from Sept. 17 to 20, Celltrion showcased Omlyclo through a symposium on “Understanding the role of biosimilars in CSU.”

The annual gathering draws more than 16,000 dermatology and venereology experts from around the world.

Professor Martin Metz of the Department of Dermatology and Allergology at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Europe's largest university hospital, presented data from Celltrion’s 40-week global phase 3 trial, demonstrating that Omlyclo achieved equivalence with its reference product in efficacy, safety, and quality of life measures.

“For CSU patients who have long had no access to biosimilars, Omlyclo can expand access and reduce cost burdens,” Metz said.

Professor Fernando de Mora of the Department of Pharmacology at the Spanish Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona also said, “With the accumulation of data, physicians have no doubt that biosimilars help make treatment more accessible.”

CSU will be the first disease in this area to benefit from these advantages, Mora added.

Strengthening trust through direct physician engagement

During EADV, Celltrion’s booth highlighted not only Omlyclo but also Steqeyma and its established autoimmune and oncology biosimilars, positioning them as part of an expanding dermatology portfolio.

Salim Benkalifa, Medical Director of Celltrion Healthcare France, emphasized the importance of reliability.

“Only about five percent of asthma patients are eligible for omalizumab, yet their treatment costs account for more than half of total asthma spending,” Benkalifa said. “Biosimilars like Omlyclo can lower this burden and what matters most is trust, which we build through expertise across development, commercialization, and direct engagement with physicians.”

Benkalifa added that Celltrion’s direct sales model enables rapid response to medical needs, efficient inventory management, and stable supply.

To support Omlyclo’s early uptake, the French subsidiary is leading real-world studies on treatment continuity and patient satisfaction, with results to be presented at upcoming conferences.

Celltrion Europe Division Head Ha Tae-hun also said, “Celltrion has established trust with European physicians as a pioneer in antibody biosimilars.”

The company will continue to expand touchpoints with dermatologists, allergists, and other specialists to further strengthen its position, Ha added.