[Kim Saemi, Edaily Reporter] Celltrion, Inc. said on Jan. 30 that it has completed the launch of 'Aptozma', an autoimmune disease treatment, in major European markets including Germany, France, and Spain.

With the rollout, Celltrion, Inc. has stepped up its push into the global tocilizumab market, executing country-specific sales and marketing strategies tailored to local pharmaceutical market dynamics. Aptozma has secured multiple tender wins early in its launch phase, rapidly strengthening its market presence.

In France—one of the EU5 countries—Celltrion, Inc. is pursuing a dual-track strategy targeting both tender and retail channels, delivering early commercial traction. The company’s French subsidiary has won the majority of tenders from private hospital groups by emphasizing supply reliability, a key evaluation criterion in competitive bidding. These contracts account for approximately 80% of France’s private-sector tocilizumab market.

In the retail segment, Celltrion, Inc. is leveraging physician networks built through existing products such as Remsima SC and Yuflyma to expand prescriptions.

To further enhance marketing capabilities among physicians and patients, Celltrion, Inc. plans to conduct clinical studies aimed at real-world data generation. Observational studies will evaluate patient satisfaction with Aptozma and the effects of treatment switching. Similar studies are currently under way for Steqeyma and Omlyclo, with Idencelt also set to be added.

By securing real-world prescription data, the company expects to strengthen confidence in its products and increase physician preference in the French market.

In Germany, Celltrion, Inc. is leveraging its locally established professional network to accelerate Aptozma sales. The intravenous (IV) formulation of Aptozma offers a competitive advantage, as the company holds additional stability data under real-world use conditions—data not available for certain competing products. Celltrion, Inc. plans to actively highlight this differentiation in its marketing efforts.

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), one of Aptozma’s key indications, Celltrion, Inc. aims to maximize sales synergies based on brand trust accumulated through its existing autoimmune therapies. In Germany, prescriptions of Yuflyma—another autoimmune treatment—have increased following Aptozma’s launch, indicating early portfolio expansion effects.

Aptozma has also posted notable tender wins in Spain. Celltrion, Inc.’s Spanish subsidiary secured contracts in regional public tenders held in the Basque Country, Madrid, and Andalusia, and was selected as a supplier in a nationwide tender organized by INGESA, the Ministry of Health–affiliated procurement agency overseeing eight regions. As a result, Aptozma’s supply channels in Spain are expanding rapidly.

In Spain, Aptozma is also available in a 400 mg formulation not offered by the originator product, providing additional differentiation. Celltrion, Inc. plans to refine its marketing positioning around these strengths to drive both prescription growth and profitability.

“Aptozma, our fifth autoimmune disease treatment, has successfully completed its launch across major European markets,” a Celltrion, Inc. official said. “Building on the brand trust and sales experience accumulated through our existing products, we aim to rapidly secure a leading position in the global tocilizumab market.”