Celltrion launches 3 new biosimilars in Brazil, accelerating Latin America push

Celltrion has launched three new biosimilars in Brazil — Latin America's largest pharmaceutical market — targeting autoimmune and bone diseases as it moves to strengthen its foothold in the region.

The company announced Thursday that it has officially introduced the autoimmune treatment Koivolma (ustekinumab; sold domestically as Steqeyma) and the bone disease treatments Stovoclor and Osenvelt (denosumab) in Brazil.

Celltrion's Brazilian subsidiary began supplying Koivolma in prefilled syringe (PFS) formulations of 45 mg and 90 mg and a vial formulation of 130 mg in October, alongside Stovoclor in a 60 mg PFS formulation and Osenvelt in a 120 mg vial formulation. The varied dosage and formulation options are designed to broaden treatment choices for local physicians and patients.

Koivolma is a biosimilar of Stelara with approved indications covering plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Celltrion opted for the Koivolma brand name in Brazil rather than its global name Steqeyma, taking into account local linguistic characteristics.

With the three additions, Celltrion's biopharmaceutical lineup in Brazil has grown to 10 products in total. In the autoimmune segment, the company has now rounded out its portfolio by adding ustekinumab to its existing infliximab, adalimumab and omalizumab offerings.

Celltrion plans to drive prescription growth for the new products by leveraging the market share and hospital networks built by its existing lineup. In Brazil's private market, its autoimmune treatment Remsima (infliximab) holds roughly a 50 percent share, while the anticancer drugs Herzuma (trastuzumab) and Truxima (rituximab) command shares of about 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively.

Further pipeline launches are also in the works. Celltrion is preparing to introduce the ophthalmic treatment Aidenzelt (aflibercept) and the autoimmune treatment Aptozma (tocilizumab) in Brazil before the end of the year.

The latest biosimilar launches reflect a strategy of using the distribution networks and prescription credibility built through Remsima and Herzuma to accelerate market uptake of new products, with the lineup now standing at 10.

"We will rapidly expand prescriptions for Koivolma and Stovoclor·Osenvelt by drawing on the trust and distribution channels we have built through our existing products," a Celltrion official said. "We will continue rolling out follow-on products such as Aidenzelt to sustain our growth across Brazil and Latin America as a whole."