Celltrion announced this week that it will contract with Swiss biologics maker Lonza to manufacture biosimilar infliximab CT-P13, sold as Remsima and Inflectra, in Singapore.
Celltrion announced this week that it will contract with Swiss biologics maker Lonza to manufacture biosimilar infliximab CT-P13, sold as Remsima and Inflectra, in Singapore.
Celltrion currently has a manufacturing capacity of 190,000 liters of drug substance per year in 2 plants in the Republic of Korea, and says that Lonza will help to diversify its supply base and meet the rising demand for the biosimilar, which references Remicade, in the United States and European Union.
Woo Sung Kee, Celltrion’s chief executive officer (CEO), said in a statement that “The stable manufacturing system and superb product quality management were the most important factors in choosing our partner Lonza. It will be a great opportunity to expand our global supplying capacity to provide the greater healthcare benefit through these cost-effective biologics since demand of biosimilars is increasing worldwide.”
Marc Funk, CEO of Lonza Group, added, “We will be working in close partnership with Celltrion to ensure it has access to the flexible capacity and agile teams it needs to respond to evolving market demand for Remsima. In the competitive biosimilars market, we can support Celltrion with our experience in biologics as it enables broader patient access to affordable, life-changing therapies.”
The 2 drug makers say that they spent the first quarter of 2019 working together on the validation process at Lonza’s facility, and have submitted the products made there for approval by the European Medicines Agency. Next, they will seek the FDA’s approval.
Announcement of the deal with Lonza is the latest in a string of efforts by Celltrion to expand its biosimilars in the global market. Last month, Celltrion Group disclosed in regulatory filings that it is adding 10 new offices in Europe and Central America as a means to set up a direct sales network for its biosimilars.
Eye on Pharma: Korean Drugmakers’ Impact in Europe; New Denosumab, Eculizumab Deals
January 11th 2025Korean drugmakers hold over 50% market share in the 6 best-selling biosimilar markets, 2 companies sign exclusive licensing partnership for a denosumab biosimilar, and 2 others join forces for an eculizumab biosimilar.
Biosimilars in America: Overcoming Barriers and Maximizing Impact
July 21st 2024Join us as we explore the complexities of the US biosimilars market, discussing legislative influences, payer and provider adoption factors, and strategies to overcome industry challenges with expert insights from Kyle Noonan, PharmD, MS, value & access strategy manager at Cencora.
Commercial Payer Coverage of Biosimilars: Market Share, Pricing, and Policy Shifts
December 4th 2024Researchers observe significant shifts in payer preferences for originator vs biosimilar products from 2017 to 2022, revealing growing payer interest in multiple product options, alongside the increasing market share of biosimilars, which contributed to notable reductions in both average sales prices and wholesale acquisition costs.
Exploring the Biosimilar Horizon: Julie Reed's Predictions for 2024
February 18th 2024On this episode of Not So Different, Julie Reed, executive director of the Biosimilars Forum, returns to discuss her predictions for the biosimilar industry for 2024 and beyond as well as the impact that the Forum's 4 new members will have on the organization's mission.
Overcoming Challenges to Improve Access and Reduce Costs
November 12th 2024Biosimilars hold the potential to dramatically lower health care costs and improve access to life-changing treatments, but realizing this potential will require urgent policy reforms, market competition, and better education for both providers and patients.