Stelara biosimilars face increasing competition

as Celltrion lowers prices

Celltrion has listed its IV formulation for reimbursement…three of its products are priced at the lowest end

Product photo of Janssen

Competition among biosimilars referencing Stelara (ustekinumab) for treating autoimmune diseases heats up.

 

Samsung Bioepis added its biosimilar to the reimbursement list in July, and Celltrion added theirs in September.

 

Since Celltrion is set to cut the price starting next month, attention has been drawn to future competition.

 

According to industry sources on November 19, Celltrion will cut the prices of existing products after their Steqeyma IV Inj, an intravenous formulation (IV), becomes listed for reimbursement in December.

 

In September, Celltrion listed two Steqeyma PFS products for reimbursement, although the IV formulation was not included then.

 

In contrast, the original Janssen Stelara and Samsung Bioepis Epyztek are available on the market with a total of three formulations, including the IV formulation.

 

With the launch of Celltrion's IV formulation, the company has positioned well agaisnt the competitors.

 

Additionally, by cutting its drug price, Celltrion has gained a competitive edge in pricing.

 

The ceiling price for Steqeyma IV is KRW 1,278,313, making it more affordable than comparable formulations from Janssen and Samsung Bioepis.

 

Janssen's Stelara S.C.

 

Inj is priced at KRW 1,809,200, and Samsung Bioepis's Epyztek IV Inj is set at KRW 1,345,593.

 

This makes Steqeyma approximately KRW 530,000 cheaper than the original product and about KRW 70,000 less expensive than the Samsung Bioepis formulation.

 

Additionally, Celltrion has voluntarily reduced the price of its prefilled syringe formulation.

 

Steqeyma PFS 45 mg price has been lowered from KRW 1,298,290 to KRW 1,233,376.

 

For comparison, Janssen’s Stelara S.C.

 

Inj·Stelara PFS are priced at KRW 1,745,600, while Samsung Bioepis’s Epyztek PFS is priced at KRW 1,298,290.

 

This makes Celltrion’s product approximately KRW 510,000 cheaper than the original and about KRW 60,000 less expensive than Samsung Bioepis’ product.

 

Additionally, the Steqeyma PFS 90 mg price has been reduced from KRW 1,342,320 to KRW 1,275,204.

 

Currently, the original product is priced at KRW 1,804,800, and Samsung Bioepis' product is priced at KRW 1,342,320.

 

Celltrion's prefilled syringe products were previously priced the same as Samsung Bioepis' products.

 

However, Celltrion has officially entered the price competition with the recent price reduction.

 

The price of the original Stelara will decrease to the KRW 1,500,000 range after its additional reimbursement ends in July next year.

 

However, there will still be a significant gap compared to Celltrion's product, giving Celltrion an advantage in price competitiveness.

 

According to IQVIA, Stelara's sales reached KRW 47.4 billion last year.

 

It is reimbursed for treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults and children aged 12 and older, active psoriatic arthritis in adults, active Crohn's disease in adults, and moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis in adults.