Celltrion has secured a key partnership with Cigna Healthcare, one of the top 10 insurers in the United States, granting its autoimmune treatment, Zymfentra, preferred drug status. Zymfentra, a subcutaneous version of the widely used infliximab, builds on the success of Celltrion’s Remsima, the world’s first antibody biosimilar.
This deal comes just five months after Zymfentra’s US launch, significantly boosting its market penetration. Celltrion estimates that the agreement with Cigna, which also owns the major pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI), gives the company access to 75% of the US insurance market.
The company has ambitious plans to further expand Zymfentra’s reach, aiming to secure deals with additional insurers and pharmacy benefit managers by the end of the year. As part of its strategy, Celltrion is ramping up marketing efforts targeting both healthcare providers and patients, including expanding its network of doctors and launching national advertising campaigns.
While the company positions this partnership as a significant step forward, its ability to dominate the competitive US market remains to be seen, especially as it targets comprehensive coverage across all major insurers within a tight timeframe.
