South Korean biosimilar maker Celltrion Inc. announced that its subcutaneous formulation, Zymfentra (infliximab), is now included on the insurance-covered drug lists of three major US Prescription Benefit Managers (PBMs). These PBMs—Express Scripts, OptumRx, and CVS Health—manage about 80% of insured prescription drugs in the US and act as intermediaries among pharmacies, drug manufacturers, and insurance companies.
Celltrion’s agreements with these PBMs were finalized between April and early August, following the US launch of Zymfentra in March. The company has secured a public insurance contract with one of these PBMs and is negotiating for coverage under private insurance plans.
Zymfentra, approved in the US as a new drug last October, is a self-administered version of Celltrion’s intravenous biosimilar “Remsima.” It is used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The US market for these treatments is estimated at 14 trillion won ($10.2 billion), according to IQVIA.
Celltrion aims to supply Zymfentra to 150,000 of the estimated 300,000 inflammatory bowel disease patients in the US by next year, reflecting its strategic expansion in the competitive US biosimilar market.
