According to Celltrion on the 26th, its U.S. subsidiary signed an exclusive supply agreement earlier this month with a major local healthcare company for the Omriclo prefilled syringe (PFS) formulation and all Aptosma formulations (IV and SC). Product supply and insurance reimbursement began this month.
Through this agreement, Celltrion has secured a channel linking insurance formulary listings with supplies to healthcare facilities and has also entered the insurance and non-insurance sales networks of major distributors. Additional listing negotiations currently underway with several large prescription benefit management (PBM) companies are also in the final stages. The company plans to continue expanding its U.S. prescription base starting in the fourth quarter.
Under the agreement, Omriclo and Aptosma will be listed as “Preferred Drugs” in the insurer’s formulary and supplied to affiliated healthcare facilities. Consequently, subscribers to that insurance plan can now receive treatment with these two products, with insurance benefits applied, following a prescription from a healthcare provider.
Celltrion explained that the cooperative relationships built through the supply of existing products influenced this agreement. Previously, the company had supplied the bone disease treatments “Stovoclo and Osenvelt” (active ingredient: denosumab) to hospitals affiliated with the healthcare company.
Omriclo has also signed a supply agreement with a separate major distribution company. Under the agreement, sales have begun at pharmacies located within stores operated by that company. It has also entered the health insurance channel, which covers approximately 350,000 employees of that company, and has been listed as an “Exclusive Preferred” drug in all areas except for certain prescriptions requiring the vial formulation.
It has also secured a non-insurance sales network. Omriclo has been enrolled in the pharmaceutical discount program for members of the distribution company. Approximately 74 million members can purchase the product at a discounted price through this program at the company’s pharmacies or affiliated pharmacies.
Celltrion is currently negotiating with multiple major PBMs to list its high-margin new product portfolio in formularies. As negotiations have entered the final stages, contracts are expected to be signed within the fourth quarter. Once signed, these contracts will add additional insurance reimbursement networks to the channels already secured with major healthcare companies and distributors, further expanding the product’s prescription base in the U.S.
Celltrion is also in negotiations with several major PBMs regarding formulary listings for its new products. The company anticipates that, as negotiations have entered the final stages, contracts will be signed within the fourth quarter. If additional listings are secured, the number of patients eligible for insurance reimbursement and the number of prescribing channels are expected to increase.
Kim Bon-joong, CEO of Celltrion’s U.S. subsidiary, stated, “Omriclo and Aptozma have demonstrated their product competitiveness and direct-to-consumer sales capabilities by entering the supply channels of major healthcare and distribution companies from the very beginning of their U.S. launch.” He added, “We will translate confirmed supply agreements into actual prescription growth and sales expansion, while also swiftly finalizing negotiations for listing with major PBMs currently under discussion to broaden the growth foundation for our new products in the U.S.”
