South Korean pharmaceutical company Celltrion is expanding its influence in Latin America, a major global pharmerging market, by securing consecutive bidding successes.
According to Celltrion on the 17th, the company has successfully extended the supply period for its breast and gastric cancer treatment ‘Herzuma’ (ingredient: trastuzumab) in Brazil, the largest pharmaceutical market in Latin America. Celltrion’s Brazilian subsidiary has won the federal government’s trastuzumab tender for five consecutive years since Herzuma’s launch in 2020 through last year. Recently, it secured another extension, ensuring supply until March 2026.
This tender accounts for 97% of Brazil’s trastuzumab market, meaning Celltrion is poised to maintain stable sales in the region this year.
In Guatemala, ‘Vegzelma’ (ingredient: bevacizumab), a metastatic colorectal and breast cancer treatment set for launch next month, has already secured a successful bid from the Guatemalan Social Security Institute (IGSS), which controls 95% of the market. This allows Vegzelma to dominate the market immediately upon launch. Guatemala often extends supply periods rather than holding new tenders upon expiration, making early success crucial. With Vegzelma’s pre-launch market capture, sustained supply performance is expected. Currently, ‘Truxima’ (ingredient: rituximab), a blood cancer treatment, holds a 70% market share in Guatemala as the most prescribed drug. Celltrion plans to further expand its presence with a stronger oncology portfolio.
In Costa Rica, Herzuma has secured an additional supply extension in a tender by the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), which holds 95% of the market, ensuring supply through the first half of this year. Both Truxima and Herzuma have consistently won bids every year since their launches in 2019 and 2021, respectively, maintaining over 90% market share and leading prescription rates.
Celltrion has closely analyzed the pharmaceutical market characteristics of each Latin American country, leveraging its product competitiveness and supply stability to dominate tender markets. The company has also focused on building strong networks with key stakeholders, including government bidding agencies and healthcare professionals. Additionally, the trust of local physicians who have used Celltrion’s products for years has solidified its position as a top-pick treatment in the region, positively impacting bid success.
Celltrion plans to sustain its growth in Latin America by expanding its product lineup and sales countries. Alongside Vegzelma, the company aims to reinforce its portfolio with upcoming launches, including ‘Remsima SC’, the world’s only subcutaneous infliximab formulation, and ‘Yuflyma’ (ingredient: adalimumab), an autoimmune disease treatment, to maximize synergy across its offerings.
Kang Kyung-doo, Head of Celltrion’s Latin America division, stated, “As Celltrion’s market dominance grows in Latin America, aggressive marketing efforts by our experienced local teams will further amplify our success. We will continue strengthening our direct sales capabilities to ensure our treatments improve the quality of life for more patients in this steadily growing pharmaceutical market.”
