Celltrion targets $3.46 bn in sales this year on biosimilars

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Seoul, March 18 (IANS) Celltrion, a major South Korean biopharmaceutical firm, on Tuesday said it aims to achieve 5 trillion won ($3.46 billion) in sales this year, helped by an expanded biosimilar lineup.

The annual target is 40.5 per cent higher than the record high of 3.56 trillion won it posted last year, Yonhap news agency reported. The consistent growth of its flagship biosimilars, such as Remsima and Truxima, and the expansion of its “young portfolio,” which includes Remsima SC, sold as Zymfentra in the US, and Yuflyma, will continue to drive up its earnings this year, Celltrion said.

The sales proportion of the young portfolio jumped to 38 per cent of Celltrion’s overall sales in 2024 from 26 per cent a year earlier. Celltrion has significantly expanded its global biosimilar lineup, increasing the number of approved products from six to 11.

It aims to commercialise 22 biosimilar products by 2030, when the targeted global market size is expected to nearly double to 261 trillion won from 138 trillion won this year.

Celltrion said it is targeting to report an average of 30 per cent sales growth for three years through 2027 on the back of increased production and cost reduction. To enhance shareholder value, the company plans to continue to buy back its own shares for cancellation in the coming years.

Celltrion also cancelled more than 700 billion won worth of its stocks last year. This year, it has already cancelled 553 billion won worth of stocks and plans to cancel an additional 203 billion won.

Meanwhile, the drugmaker has been making efforts to expand its presence in the US biosimilar market. In recent months, it has obtained FDA approval for the US sale of several biosimilars, including Avtozma, an autoimmune disease biosimilar to Actemra, as well as Stoboclo and Osenvelt, biosimilar drugs to Prolia and Xgeva.

The global market for Stelara is estimated at $10.36 billion, with the US accounting for two-thirds of global sales.

–IANS

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Gujarat: Ahmedabad cancer patients count benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana

Ahmedabad, Feb 4 (IANS) The life of Anil Kumar Sharma, a resident of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, came to a standstill when he was diagnosed with throat cancer 18 months ago. All thanks to the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, now he is feeling about 50 per cent relief from his disease.

Anil Kumar Sharma said, “Initially my morale was down when I came to know about the disease, but under the Ayushman Yojana I was able to get timely treatment. Getting free treatment and essential medicines under the scheme has also relieved me of the financial burden that the disease brings. This scheme has given me a new hope.”

Alka Sharma, sister of Anil Kumar Sharma, told IANS, “We had earlier gone to private hospitals, where the cost of treatment was very high and there was no special relief. Despite spending about Rs 3 lakh, we did not get any relief or concession.

“After this we got the card of the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Yojana made and then we got immediate financial relief. There was no difficulty in getting the Ayushman card made, and this card was activated soon. This card became an important part of the treatment and we started my brother’s chemotherapy from here. Now his fourth chemo has been done and he is feeling better.”

Radha Agarwal, a resident of Ahmedabad, was diagnosed with cancer in June 2024. Initially, this disease was detected at a private hospital, but after this she started getting treatment in a government hospital under the PM Ayushman Yojana, where she is getting better facilities.

Radha Agarwal said, “When I was diagnosed with cancer, I first went to a private hospital. It cost a lot there, but there was no significant relief in treatment. Then I got a PM Ayushman Yojana card made and now I am getting treatment in a government hospital. The facilities here are very good and I am feeling a lot of improvement.”

Radha Agarwal’s son Nishchay Agarwal said, “When we came to know about cancer, we first went to a private hospital, but the cost of treatment was very high. After this, people suggested that we get an Ayushman card made, so that we can get better treatment in a government hospital. We got the card made and since then the treatment is going on. Treatment in a government hospital has become very affordable and better. My mother is feeling very relieved.”

73-year-old Makhbooba Bano, a resident of Ahmedabad, has been getting treatment for stomach cancer under the PM Ayushman Yojana for the last five months.

Makhbooba Bano said that when she came to know about cancer, her family started treatment immediately and with the Ayushman card she is getting the benefit of high-quality treatment in a government hospital.

Makhbooba Bano’s daughter Gulnaz said, “My mother had a lump in her stomach. She is feeling better after treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Earlier we had gone to a private hospital, but the treatment was not good. Then we went to the government hospital, where better treatment is available free of cost.”

Siraj Mohammad Hanif Barfwala, a resident of Ahmedabad, successfully fought his battle with blood cancer with the help of the Ayushman card and now he is completely healthy.

Siraj Mohammad said that his condition became very serious when he was diagnosed with blood cancer, but after starting treatment under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Yojana, he got relief from the cost of treatment and now he is recovering.

Siraj stated, “We were very nervous after the detection of blood cancer, but the Ayushman card gave us a new hope. Under this scheme, in the government hospital, not only did I get better treatment, but the cost of treatment also reduced significantly. My treatment was done for free and we got support from the team of doctors all the time.”

The Ayushman Bharat Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 23, 2018, has emerged as a beacon of hope for countless families across India, enabling them to access free treatment for serious illnesses in both private and government hospitals.

By reducing the financial burden of healthcare, the scheme ensures that even the poorest citizens can receive life-saving medical care.

–IANS

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Qatari PM meets Turkish FM on cooperation, developments in Gaza, Syria

Doha, Feb 3 (IANS) Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss bilateral cooperation and the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and Syria.

According to a statement by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, the two officials reviewed ways to strengthen bilateral ties, as well as the latest developments in Gaza, the Palestinian territories, and Syria, along with several issues of mutual concern.

During the meeting on Sunday, Al Thani emphasised the need for both parties involved in the conflict to continue implementing the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, expressing his appreciation for the strong Qatari-Turkish partnership in promoting peace and stability in the region, Xinhua news agency reported.

In a joint press conference following the meeting, Al Thani stressed the importance of all parties adhering to the full implementation of the agreement’s provisions and commencing negotiations on the second phase, as stipulated in the agreement.

He further urged the partners in the international community to maintain pressure to ensure the success of these negotiations. He emphasised that no party should be allowed to obstruct them to prevent the closure of this irreplaceable window.

Al Thani underscored that the second phase of negotiations must begin tomorrow, saying, “We have already started engaging with both parties to achieve this.”

He also welcomed the steps aimed at restructuring Syria and enhancing consensus and unity among all Syrian parties, paving the way for the consolidation of civil peace, security, and stability, and for building a state based on law, institutions, development, and prosperity.

He stressed the urgent importance of lifting sanctions imposed on Syria due to their negative impact on exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and hindering the provision of basic needs.

For his part, Fidan stressed the need for lifting international sanctions imposed on Syria and ensuring security.

He also highlighted that there is no room for terrorism in Syria.

Fidan urged the international community to oppose the displacement of the Palestinian people from Gaza, describing it as a violation of international law.

–IANS

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Delhi CM Gupta meets PM Modi; city ministers oversee road repairs, projects

New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence on Saturday even as her Cabinet ministers hit the road and started reviewing repairs of potholed roads and reviewed pending projects across the city.

During the meeting with PM Modi, CM Gupta thanked him for giving a “daughter of Delhi” a chance to serve the people as Chief Minister, said one of her aides.

Before leaving for the PM’s residence, CM Gupta greeted her well-wishers from the first floor balcony of her home in Shalimar Bagh in the morning.

Using a public address system, CM Gupta announced that on meeting PM Modi she would convey, on behalf of all women and daughters of the city, gratitude for selecting a “Daughter of Delhi” to serve the city.

“On the first day in office, we approved the Ayushman Bharat scheme of PM Modi in the first Cabinet meeting,” she said, promising not to waste even a single day and continue serving the people.

“Our mission is to achieve Viksit Delhi as mandated by PM Modi,” she said.

“Viksit Delhi’s journey has to be covered by all of us together,” she said, ending her public address with chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai”.

Later, the Chief Minister held a meeting with the officials of the PWD department for improving infrastructure and discussed issues related to the dug-up roads, damaged roads and traffic in Delhi and gave directions for improvement.

PWD Minister Parvesh Verma inspected the Barapullah Phase-3 project and assured speedy payment and environment clearance that have alleged delayed progress in work.

Speaking to mediapersons near Sarai Kale Khan in South East Delhi, Verma said he had also issued strict instructions for removal of encroachment across Delhi roads. “We want road contractors to guarantee 10-year life for roads so that they do not need frequent recarpeting,” he said.

During another field visit at Khajuri Khas crossing in North East Delhi, Law and Labour Minister Kapil Mishra said, “Arvind Kejriwal’s govt made the condition of roads in Delhi worse. Everywhere, the roads are either broken or dusty, there are potholes and waterlogging and under the new work culture all Cabinet ministers and officials will have to work 24 hours and repair the roads immediately.”

–IANS

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