Celltrion releases Steqeyma in Europe

South Korea's Celltrion Inc. said on Monday it released Steqeyma (ustekinumab) in Europe, the biosimilar of autoimmune disease treatment Stelara.

The company introduced Steqeyma in Germany on November 1, promoting the product’s competitive edge to local medical professionals, including attendees at the German Society for Gastroenterology.

The Netherlands is also seeing a Steqeyma launch, where Celltrion secured a supply contract with IZAAZ, the country’s largest hospital group, which holds 27% of the local ustekinumab market.

Celltrion will provide Steqeyma to Izaaz for approximately two years starting this month.

In Finland, Celltrion plans to launch Steqeyma in mid-November, and in Ireland, the local branch is targeting a release later this month.

The Irish team will promote the treatment at the Winter Meeting of the Irish Society of Gastroenterology on November 21.

Steqeyma is a biosimilar of Janssen's Stelara, offering the same intravenous and subcutaneous (SC) formulations as the original.

Expanding its portfolio from tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors to interleukin inhibitors like Steqeyma, Celltrion aims to strengthen its market presence.

The global market for ustekinumab is valued at 26.52 trillion won ($19.24 billion).

Write to Dae-Kyu Ahn at powerzanic@hankyung.com