Three Autoimmune Disease Treatments from Samsung Bioepis Continue Growth in Europe

Three autoimmune disease treatments by Samsung Bioepis: 'Benepali', 'Imraldi', 'Flixabi' (Provided by Samsung Bioepis)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The sales of three autoimmune disease treatments?Benepali, Imraldi, and Flixabi?developed by Samsung Bioepis in Europe reached 230 billion KRW in the first quarter of this year.

Samsung Bioepis announced on the 23rd that its European marketing partner Biogen disclosed the first quarter results on the 22nd (U.S. local time).

According to the announcement, the first quarter European sales of the three autoimmune disease biosimilars (biopharmaceutical generics) developed by Samsung Bioepis?Benepali, Imraldi, and Flixabi?amounted to 201.0 million USD (approximately 229.6 billion KRW). However, this sales figure does not represent the entire revenue of Samsung Bioepis. The actual company revenue allocated to Samsung Bioepis under the marketing partnership agreement will be disclosed later through regular public filings.

This performance represents a 3.9% increase compared to the previous quarter’s 197.4 million USD (approximately 220.9 billion KRW). However, it is a 6.3% decrease compared to 218.8 million USD (approximately 244.8 billion KRW) in the same period last year. The company explained that this is due to a base effect caused by a temporary increase in the first quarter of last year. A Samsung Bioepis representative stated, "In the first quarter of last year, there was a temporary sales increase due to advance orders from European hospitals and wholesalers securing inventory in response to COVID-19."

In fact, in the second quarter of last year, the sales of the three treatments dropped to 171.6 million USD (approximately 192.0 billion KRW) due to the impact of the first quarter’s advance orders, reflecting significant market volatility caused by COVID-19. However, the company explained that through supply chain management, it achieved the highest annual sales last year of 795.8 million USD (approximately 890.5 billion KRW).

The sales volume of the three Samsung Bioepis treatments in Europe continues to show steady growth. Benepali has maintained the number one market share in Europe (46%) since the beginning of this year, and Imraldi and Flixabi have also maintained market shares above 10%, with sales volumes increasing accordingly.

Additionally, according to Biogen’s announcement, the cumulative number of patients prescribed these three treatments in Europe has reached 240,000. Samsung Bioepis is also securing 'data competitiveness' to expand its base through numerous prescription records.

Marking its 10th anniversary this year, Samsung Bioepis has a total of 10 biosimilar pipelines. Five treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer are currently being sold in Europe and other regions, while five others, including treatments for ophthalmic diseases, are undergoing marketing authorization reviews or clinical trials.