Celltrion’s Vegzelma listed on US PBM preferred drug list

South Korea's Celltrion Healthcare Co. announced on Tuesday that its anti-cancer biosimilar Vegzelma (active ingredient: bevacizumab) was listed as a preferred drug on the formulary of Ventegra, a major U.S. pharmacy benefit manager (PBM).

Vegzelma is a biosimilar to Avastin (ingredient name Bevacizumab) used to cure metastatic direct bowel cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, metastatic breast cancer, and ovarian cancer.

Ventegra covers more than 13 million subscribers with a primary focus on Texas, Washington, and California.

In the US, PBMs are contracted by insurers to manage drug reimbursement and are responsible for curating and maintaining drug lists, reviewing and paying drug claims, and more.

The more a drug is listed on the formularies of major PBMs and insurers, the more likely it is to be used by patients.

In September this year, Yuflyma, its biosimilar of Humira used to treat autoimmune diseases, also became a preferred option on both Ventegra's public and private insurance formulary.

Write to Jeong Min Nam at peux@hankyung.com