Celltrion Healthcare to supply Yuflyma to US pharmacy chain

South Korea's Celltrion Healthcare Co. has inked a deal with the US specialty pharmacy chain CarePartners Pharmacy to supply its autoimmune disease biosimilar Yuflyma (active ingredient: adalimumab).

Set to be rolled out by month's end at CarePartners' outlets nationwide, the move potentially expands Yuflyma's reach to over 10 million patients. Yuflyma stands as a biosimilar counterpart to the widely-known autoimmune therapy, Humira, under Celltrion's portfolio.

In the US, specialty pharmacies, closely knit with small to medium-sized prescription benefit managers (PBMs), have become pivotal in mediating drug sales and extending patient care services.

Backed with the authority to dispatch medications across all 50 states and Washington D.C., CarePartners is notable for its specialization in chronic and rare disease prescriptions, as highlighted by Celltrion Healthcare.

In a strategic move, CarePartners will sidestep the original Humira from its roster and refrain from enlisting other competing adalimumab biosimilars, effectively making Yuflyma the sole adalimumab product in its offerings.

With an eye on amplifying its market presence, Celltrion Healthcare aims to propel its marketing endeavors, striving for Yuflyma to capture roughly 40% of the pertinent US insurance market by year-end, a step that's poised to spike its profitability metrics.

Write to Jeong Min Nam at peux@hankyung.com