Celltrion’s biosimilar Vegzelma grows market share in Japan

[Courtesy of Celltrion Inc.]

South Korea’s Celltrion announced that its biosimilar Vegzelma (bevacizumab), a treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer and breast cancer, is expanding its market share in Japan. According to data from market tracker IQVIA, Vegzelma’s share of the Japanese bevacizumab biosimilar market was 12 percent as of April 2024.

Launched by Celltrion in Japan in January 2023, Vegzelma is a biosimilar of Avastin, which treats patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, metastatic breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Celltrion attributed Vegzelma’s market performance to a co-promotion strategy where the product is sold by both Celltrion’s local subsidiary and its distribution partner.

Another contributing factor is Japan’s Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) System, which includes pricing regulations for cancer treatments. This system enhances the price competitiveness of biosimilars against their reference drugs. The success of other biosimilars previously launched in Japan has also has a positive impact on Vegzelma’s performance.

“Following the launch of Yuflyma at the end of 2023, we will continue to strengthen our sales capabilities to ensure that future pipeline products to be launched in the Japanese market can achieve similar success,” a Celltrion official said.