Celltrion's Autoimmune Biosimilar Avtozma Gains Preferred Status with Major U.S. Pharmacy Benefit Manager
核心洞察
Celltrion Inc. announced that its autoimmune biosimilar Avtozma has been added to the preferred drug list of Synergie Collective (搜索), one of the top five pharmacy benefit managers in the United States.
The agreement covers the intravenous formulation of Avtozma and joins five other Celltrion biosimilars already on U.S. PBM preferred drug lists, strengthening the company's market position.
The top five PBMs control more than 90 percent of the U.S. pharmaceutical market, making preferred status critical for commercial success and patient access.
South Korean biopharmaceutical company Celltrion Inc. announced Friday that its autoimmune biosimilar Avtozma has secured preferred drug status with Synergie Collective (搜索), one of the five largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the United States. The agreement represents a significant commercial milestone that could substantially expand market access for the biosimilar therapy.
Strategic PBM Partnership Expands Market Access
The agreement with Synergie Collective (搜索) will place the intravenous formulation of Avtozma on the PBM's insurance formularies, providing enhanced coverage and reimbursement access for patients. This development adds to Celltrion's growing portfolio of preferred biosimilars in the U.S. market, where five other company products—Steqeyma, Yuflyma, Zymfentra (搜索), Vegzelma and Stoboclo-Osenvelt (搜索)—have already achieved preferred status with major PBMs.
The strategic importance of PBM partnerships cannot be overstated in the U.S. pharmaceutical landscape. According to Celltrion, PBMs wield significant influence in determining whether medications are included in reimbursement programs, directly affecting patient access and commercial viability. The top five PBMs control more than 90 percent of the U.S. market, making contracts with these organizations a critical factor for pharmaceutical success.
Financial Impact and Growth Projections
Celltrion expects the expanded lineup of PBM agreements to contribute to stronger earnings in the fourth quarter. The company is targeting approximately 4 trillion won (US$2.7 billion) in annual sales for 2024, representing substantial growth from the 3.56 trillion won recorded in the previous year.
The preferred drug list inclusion for Avtozma marks another step in Celltrion's broader strategy to establish a strong biosimilar presence in the competitive U.S. autoimmune treatment market. With six biosimilars now holding preferred status across major PBMs, the company has positioned itself as a significant player in providing cost-effective alternatives to reference biologics for autoimmune conditions.