Celltrion Healthcare attended the DGVS, the largest German gastroenterology conference, held over four days from the 15th to the 18th of last month, conducting marketing activities targeting local medical professionals. (Photo by Celltrion Healthcare)
[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Celltrion Healthcare announced on the 5th that it is strengthening its marketing and medical scientific activities by participating in local conferences ahead of the United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW), the largest gastrointestinal disease conference in Europe, to be held in Vienna, Austria from the 8th to the 11th.
Celltrion Healthcare's UK branch held a symposium titled "Great Transformation: A One-Year Real-World Study and Future Research on Switching to Infliximab Subcutaneous (SC) Formulation" at the British Society of Gastroenterology (BGS) in June. More than 2,000 UK healthcare professionals gathered at the event to discuss the role of Remsima SC in reducing patient visits and efficiently utilizing medical resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK branch also actively promoted Remsima SC by operating a promotional booth.
Remsima SC is a biosimilar of Remicade (active ingredient infliximab), an autoimmune disease treatment developed by Celltrion. After initially biosimilarizing Remsima as an intravenous (IV) formulation called Remsima IV, Celltrion succeeded in bio-bettering it into a subcutaneous (SC) injection. It is the only SC formulation product including the original and biosimilars, and since SC is generally known to offer greater dosing convenience and safety than IV, it is emerging as a new treatment option.
Celltrion Healthcare's German branch also attended the German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS), the largest gastroenterology conference in Germany, held from the 15th of last month. They held a symposium on "Remission through Infliximab," presenting the efficacy and real prescription cases of Remsima SC. Additionally, a seminar titled "The Value of Remsima SC" was held, where key German healthcare professionals gathered to discuss the role of Remsima SC as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the future direction, exchanging opinions.
The company emphasized that local conferences held in individual countries are as important as global conferences held across Europe. Since major healthcare professionals from the respective countries attend local conferences to share the latest medical trends, clinical information, and prescription cases, participation in these events can increase interest in the product and foster a favorable atmosphere. Accordingly, Celltrion Healthcare continues its marketing and medical scientific activities by attending local conferences, operating promotional booths, and holding symposiums.
They also explained that participation in these local conferences has a positive impact on prescription expansion. In the UK, Remsima and Remsima SC recorded a market share of 58% in the first quarter, expanding by more than 10 percentage points compared to the launch in 2020. Germany also recorded a market share of 42% during the same period, showing nearly threefold growth compared to 2020.
Celltrion Healthcare plans to continue participating in local conferences even after the European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW). The French branch will attend several local conferences starting mid-month, including the National Day of Liberal Rheumatology hosted by the French Rheumatology Federation (FFR) and the National Rheumatology Research Organization, the Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment Education Association (AFEMI) event, and the French National Society of Coloproctology (SNFCP) general meeting. The Dutch branch will also attend the Autumn meeting NVZA hosted by the Netherlands Association of Hospital Pharmacists (NVZA) in November, as well as the Crohn’s and Colitis Initiative (ICC) meeting, where it will hold a roundtable discussion hosted by the Dutch branch.
Ha Tae-hoon, Head of Celltrion Healthcare Europe, said, “Europe has different healthcare systems and policies in each country, so it is crucial to use marketing methods tailored to each country's characteristics. Celltrion Healthcare is successfully carrying this out based on customized strategies through 14 local branches established in Europe.” He added, “Since local conferences bring together the top medical professionals of each country, promoting products and introducing research data there helps create a favorable environment for Celltrion Healthcare products and leads to expanded prescriptions. We plan to further increase participation in such local conferences going forward.”
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