Celltrion USA has recently announced a partnership with Express Scripts, a top pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) that advocates for over 100 million individuals under health plans. The agreement, effective from April 4, 2024, allows for preferred brand access of ZYMFENTRA, an FDA-approved subcutaneous infliximab, on the Express Scripts National Preferred Formulary, serving a total of 21.9 million insured lives.
This collaboration stands as a significant breakthrough in enhancing treatment access for numerous patients suffering from chronic diseases. Francine Galante, Vice President of Market Access at Celltrion USA, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This agreement opens up an important pathway for access to treatment for millions of patients with chronic diseases. We will continue to work with providers, patients, and physicians to develop transformative therapies that meet the needs of those living with chronic pain.”
The availability of ZYMFENTRA in the commercial market provides hope for individuals with autoimmune diseases. Celltrion USA remains dedicated to engaging national and regional health plans, as well as Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs), to effectively communicate the value of its FDA-approved therapies, ensuring broad coverage.
Established in 2018, Celltrion USA, a subsidiary of Celltrion, aims to expand access to innovative biologics for the improvement of U.S. patient care. With five FDA-approved biosimilars and ZYMFENTRA, their latest biologic, they strive to leverage their unique biotechnology heritage, supply chain excellence, and sales capabilities to provide high-quality biopharmaceuticals to patients throughout the nation.
ZYMFENTRA (infliximab-dyyb) is a prescription medicine administered via subcutaneous injection. It is used by adults to maintain the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease following prior IV infusions of an infliximab product. By blocking the action of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), ZYMFENTRA helps prevent the immune system from attacking healthy parts of the body.
This groundbreaking partnership between Celltrion USA and Express Scripts holds the potential to transform the lives of millions of patients and revolutionize the accessibility of treatment for chronic diseases.
Adding facts not mentioned in the article:
1. Market Trends:
– The global biologics market is expected to reach a value of $710 billion by 2025, driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the demand for innovative therapies.
– The biosimilars market is growing rapidly, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 35% between 2021 and 2026. This growth is fueled by patent expirations of originator biologics and the need for cost-effective alternatives.
– The United States is the largest market for biologics, accounting for the majority of global sales. The demand for biosimilars is also on the rise in the U.S. market, driven by efforts to reduce healthcare costs.
2. Forecasts:
– With the partnership between Celltrion USA and Express Scripts, the availability and access to ZYMFENTRA can be expected to increase significantly. This can lead to a higher uptake of the medication among patients with autoimmune diseases.
– The inclusion of ZYMFENTRA on the Express Scripts National Preferred Formulary, serving 21.9 million insured lives, can potentially result in a substantial increase in sales and market share for Celltrion USA.
3. Key Challenges or Controversies:
– One of the key challenges in the biologics market is the complex regulatory and intellectual property landscape. Developing biosimilars involves overcoming regulatory hurdles and potential patent disputes, which can delay market entry and increase costs.
– Another challenge is the resistance from physicians and patients to switch from originator biologics to biosimilars, due to concerns about efficacy and safety. Building confidence and educating stakeholders about the benefits and equivalence of biosimilars remain crucial.
Advantages:
– The partnership between Celltrion USA and Express Scripts expands access to ZYMFENTRA, offering patients with autoimmune diseases an additional treatment option.
– The inclusion of ZYMFENTRA on the Express Scripts National Preferred Formulary ensures that the medication is more widely covered by insurance plans, making it more affordable and accessible for patients.
– Celltrion USA’s commitment to engaging with national and regional health plans, as well as PBMs and GPOs, demonstrates their dedication to communicating the value of their therapies and securing broad coverage.
Disadvantages:
– The competitive landscape for biosimilars in the U.S. market is becoming increasingly crowded, with multiple companies vying for market share. Celltrion USA will need to differentiate its products and effectively market ZYMFENTRA to stand out among competitors.
– The success of the partnership between Celltrion USA and Express Scripts relies on the willingness of healthcare providers and patients to embrace biosimilars. Overcoming the resistance to switch from originator biologics to biosimilars might present a challenge.
Related links:
1. Celltrion
2. Express Scripts
3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)