Seoul: Celltrion Inc., a major South Korean biopharmaceutical company, announced that its biosimilar for autoimmune diseases has been added to the preferred drug list of a U.S. pharmacy benefit manager (PBM).

According to Yonhap News Agency, Celltrion has signed an agreement with Synergie Collective, one of the top five PBMs in the United States, to have the intravenous formulation of its biosimilar Avtozma listed as a preferred drug on the PBM's insurance formularies. This inclusion is significant as PBMs have a substantial influence in the U.S. pharmaceutical market by determining which medications are included in reimbursement programs.

Celltrion noted that five other biosimilars-Steqeyma, Yuflyma, Zymfentra, Vegzelma, and Stoboclo-Osenvelt-are already on U.S. PBM preferred drug lists. The company emphasized that the top five PBMs control more than 90 percent of the U.S. market, highlighting the importance of contracts with these organizations for achieving market success.

Celltrion anticipates that these recent agreements will enhance its earnings in the fourth quarter. The company aims to achieve approximately 4 trillion won (US$2.7 billion) in annual sales this year, an increase from 3.56 trillion won in 2024.