Celltrion's Remsima Overtakes Original Drug in Japan, Claiming No. 1 Spot With 48% Market Share

Celltrion's Remsima overtook the original drug to claim the top spot in Japan's infliximab market with a 48% share in July. A South Korean biosimilar has overtaken its original reference drug in Japan's autoimmune disease treatment market. Celltrion announced on Oct. 20 that Remsima (infliximab), its autoimmune disease treatment, captured a 48% share of Japan's infliximab market in July, becoming the most prescribed product in its category. The achievement is particularly notable in Japan, a traditionally conservative pharmaceutical market known for its high barriers to entry. Celltrion's oncology biosimilars Herzuma and Vegzelma have also established strong positions in Japan, maintaining market shares of 78% and 64%, respectively. Celltrion's market presence is expanding beyond Japan across Asia. As of the first quarter of 2026, Remsima ranked first in several key markets, with shares of 93% in Singapore, 84% in Hong Kong, 78% in Thailand and 72% in Malaysia. Truxima also maintained its leading position, recording market shares of 93% in Singapore and 78% in Thailand. The company has also made significant gains in Latin America. In Brazil, the region's largest market, Remsima leads prescriptions with a share of approximately 60% in the private market. In Costa Rica, both Remsima and Truxima have market shares approaching 100%, while the products have also secured shares exceeding 80% in markets including Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. These results are attributed in part to Celltrion's strategy of expanding its global direct sales infrastructure. The company currently operates subsidiaries across 43 countries, including 13 in growth markets such as Asia and Latin America. It has also concentrated approximately 25% of its overseas workforce in these regions, including expanding its local team in Japan to around 80 employees. Strong sales have also translated into financial performance. Celltrion reported preliminary consolidated third-quarter revenue of 1.5 trillion won and operating profit of 510 billion won, setting new quarterly records. Growth in Asia and Latin America, alongside expanding sales in the United States and Europe, is seen as a key driver of the company's performance. Celltrion is now leveraging its established local sales networks to accelerate the launch of higher-margin follow-on products. In Japan, the company recently launched the intravenous formulation of Steqeyma and aims to introduce the subcutaneous (SC) formulation of Remsima in 2027. In Thailand, it plans to diversify its product portfolio through the planned launches of Omlyclo and Stoboclo-Osenvelt. Preparations are also underway to launch Steqeyma in Malaysia and Singapore. In Latin America, Celltrion plans to further expand its market share by increasing participation in public-sector tenders. A Celltrion official said, "Building on our presence in the United States and Europe, we will accelerate new product launches in Asia and Latin America to diversify our global growth drivers."