[Kyoto (Japan) = E-Daily Reporter KIM SAE-MI ] “Biological agents offer significant benefits in alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life and work productivity, but they are realistically quite expensive. In this regard, biosimilars can be a viable option.”
Kayoko Kawashima, Head of the Department of Otolaryngology at the Osaka Habikino Medical Center, made these remarks on the 16th at the Celltrion Educational Seminar held during the World Allergy Congress (WAC 2026) at the Kyoto International Conference Center in Japan.
The topic of her lecture that day was “Improving the Quality of Life for Patients with Severe Allergic Rhinitis.” She emphasized that allergic rhinitis should not be viewed merely as a condition that causes a runny nose and sneezing.
The Hidden Economic Cost of Hay Fever, Japan’s “National Disease”… Declining
Labor Productivity ↓Dr. Kawashima pointed out that hay fever (pollen allergy), considered one of Japan’s most prevalent
“national diseases,”is a condition that not only disrupts patients’ daily lives but also reduces labor productivity.
According to his presentation, during pollen season in Japan, the number of people suffering from a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes increases. The problem is that these symptoms go beyond causing inconvenience in daily life and lead to social costs. Even when people go to work, they find it difficult to concentrate on their tasks, and at night, they often lose sleep due to their symptoms.
Dr. Kawashima explained, “The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in Japan has continued to rise, from 29.8% in 1998 to 39.4% in 2008 and 49.2% in 2019,” adding, “Now, one in two Japanese people suffers from allergic rhinitis.” The prevalence of cedar pollen allergy—unique to Japan—also reached 38.8% in 2019. He added, “In particular, the number of pediatric patients is increasing, and the age of onset is getting younger.”
Not only are there many patients, but the economic losses resulting from poorly controlled symptoms are also significant. Dr. Kawashima stated, “Patients with poorly controlled symptoms not only have lower quality-of-life scores but also experience a significant impact on labor productivity.” According to an international study he cited, the rate of productivity loss during work among allergic rhinitis patients with poor symptom control was 60.7%. For patients with partial control, the rate was 25%, and even for those with good control, it was 4%.
Dr. Kawashima highlighted the phenomenon of “presenteeism.” Unlike absenteeism, where employees miss work due to illness, presenteeism refers to the phenomenon where employees come to work but their efficiency is reduced due to their physical condition.
Dr. Kawashima noted, “While the study did not show losses due to absenteeism, the decline in productivity during work was clear,” adding, “If asthma is present as well, the impact could be even greater.” He also cited eye symptoms and sleep disorders as factors that reduce work efficiency.
So, what treatment options are available for patients with severe hay fever whose symptoms are not controlled by existing medications? In Japan, “omalizumab,” a biologic agent that targets immunoglobulin E (IgE), is used for some patients whose symptoms remain uncontrolled despite conventional treatments such as antihistamines and intranasal steroids.
Dr. Kawashima emphasized, “Omalizumab reduced nasal and eye symptoms, and improvements in quality of life, daily activities, and work productivity were also confirmed,” adding, “It could be a meaningful treatment option for patients whose symptoms are not adequately controlled by existing treatments.”
Patients Hesitant to Seek Treatment Due to High Drug Costs… Will “Omliclo” Change That? However, the high cost of omalizumab is acting as a barrier for severely affected patients considering treatment with biologics. Dr. Kawashima noted, “While biologics can help reduce indirect burdens such as lost productivity, they are expensive,” and predicted, “Biosimilars could expand treatment options.”
He also introduced “Omliclo” (CT-P39), an omalizumab biosimilar developed by Celltrion(068270)that is set to launch in Japan. In a global Phase 3 clinical trial involving patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria, Omliclo demonstrated therapeutic equivalence to the original “Xolair,” and similar efficacy was confirmed in a switch-over study.
In Japan, the list price of Omriclo has been set approximately 30% lower than that of Xolair. For the 150 mg dosage, Omriclo is priced at 14,602 yen, which is 6,220 yen cheaper than Xolair (20,822 yen). Celltrion stated that, based on the actual supply price, Omriclo is about 40% cheaper than Xolair. The company explained that in Japan, when the formulation of a biosimilar is changed, pricing criteria equivalent to those for new drugs may be applied, resulting in a discrepancy between the officially listed price and the actual supply price.
Dr. Kawashima also highlighted the cost-saving effects on healthcare finances resulting from the introduction of biosimilars. An analysis covering 23 European countries, assuming a 30% price reduction compared to the originator product, estimated healthcare cost savings of approximately 40 million euros (about 68 billion won) in the first year and approximately 640 million euros (about 1.088 trillion won) over five years. It is calculated that the savings could provide additional treatment opportunities for about 96,000 patients.
The key issue is how much the price competitiveness of biosimilars can improve access to treatment for patients who have been hesitant to use expensive biologics despite being unable to control their symptoms with existing treatments.
Dr. Kawashima stated, “Severe allergic rhinitis reduces quality of life and productivity, but it can be alleviated with biologics,” adding, “In situations where cost is a barrier to treatment, biosimilars can offer patients a new option.”
