Herzuma Secures Supply Extension in Brazil,
the Largest Pharmaceutical Market in Latin America,
Without Competitive Bidding
Celltrion is expanding its influence by continuing to achieve bidding success in the Pharmerging Market of Latin America, a key emerging pharmaceutical market globally.
On the 17th, Celltrion announced that it had successfully extended the supply period of 'Herzuma' (generic name: trastuzumab), a breast and stomach cancer treatment, in Brazil, the largest pharmaceutical market in Latin America. Since the launch of Herzuma, Celltrion Brazil has consecutively won the federal government bids for trastuzumab for five years from 2020 to last year, and recently succeeded once again in extending the supply period, securing the supply of Herzuma until March 2026.
This bid accounts for 97% of the trastuzumab market in Brazil, and stable sales in this market are expected to continue this year as well.
In Guatemala, 'Vegzelma' (generic name: bevacizumab), a metastatic colorectal and breast cancer treatment set to launch next month, succeeded in winning the bid from the Social Security Institute (IGSS), which controls 95% of the market under the central government, thereby securing market dominance upon launch. Particularly in Guatemala, where supply periods are often extended instead of new bids upon expiration, early success is crucial. Vegzelma has succeeded in preempting the market even before its launch, and this is expected to lead to continuous supply achievements. Currently, 'Truxima' (generic name: rituximab), a hematologic cancer treatment, holds a 70% market share and ranks first in prescriptions in Guatemala, enabling Celltrion to plan market expansion based on a strengthened oncology portfolio.
In Costa Rica, Herzuma has confirmed additional supply through the Social Security Fund (CCSS) bid, which controls 95% of the market, and supply is expected to be extended through the first half of this year. In Costa Rica, Truxima and Herzuma have continuously won bids every year since their respective launches in 2019 and 2021, maintaining an overwhelming market share exceeding 90% and ranking first in prescriptions.
Celltrion has actively leveraged its strengths, such as product competitiveness and supply stability, by thoroughly analyzing the characteristics of pharmaceutical markets in various Latin American countries to preempt bidding markets. In particular, it has focused on building friendly networks with key stakeholders such as national bidding agencies and medical professionals. Additionally, the strong trust of local medical staff who have used Celltrion products for many years has contributed positively to securing bids, establishing Celltrion as the top-pick treatment in the Latin American region.
Celltrion plans to continue its growth in the Latin American region through the launch of follow-up products and expansion of sales countries. Especially, along with the recently launched Vegzelma, it will continue to release follow-up products such as 'Remsima SC,' the world's only subcutaneous formulation of infliximab, and 'Uplima' (generic name: adalimumab), an autoimmune disease treatment, further strengthening synergies within its portfolio.
Kang Kyung-doo, head of Celltrion's Latin America region, said, "As Celltrion's pharmaceutical market dominance grows in Latin America, the aggressive marketing activities of local staff with experience and know-how are also contributing to expanding our achievements. We will continue to strengthen our direct sales capabilities so that Celltrion treatments can contribute to improving the quality of life for more patients in the growing pharmaceutical industry of Latin America."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
