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Photo = Celtrion |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Sangjin] Celltrion's metastatic colorectal and breast cancer treatment, Vegzelma (ingredient: bevacizumab), has secured the top spot in prescriptions across Europe.
According to pharmaceutical market research firm IQVIA on Wednesday, Vegzelma achieved a 29% market share in Europe as of Q3 2023, surpassing all competing products, including the original drug. This milestone comes just two years after its European launch in October 2022. Notably, its market share rose by 9 percentage points compared to the previous quarter, further widening the gap with competitors.
Vegzelma’s rapid rise to the No.1 position is attributed to Celltrion’s direct sales strategy through its European subsidiary. Since 2020, Celltrion has transitioned all its products in Europe to direct sales, starting with Remsima (infliximab) and later expanding to oncology drugs Herzuma (trastuzumab) and Truxima (rituximab) in 2022.
By leveraging its locally established subsidiaries, Celltrion strengthened its network with key stakeholders such as procurement agencies and prescribing physicians, accelerating market penetration for Vegzelma and other pipeline products.
A key driver behind Vegzelma’s market share increase was Celltrion’s successful bid for a major supply contract with UniHA, France’s largest pharmaceutical procurement group for university hospitals, in June 2023. Under this contract, Vegzelma will be supplied until 2027, further boosting its market expansion in the coming years.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim SangJin(letyou@alphabiz.co.kr)
