Celltron buys Swiss Pharma Distributor

Celltrion, the South Korean biosimilar and biologics manufacturing giant, is making a strategic move into the competitive EU market by acquiring iQone Healthcare, a Swiss pharmaceutical distributor. This acquisition is part of Celltrion’s broader plan to expand its footprint in Western markets and boost its sales in Switzerland, as reported by the Korea Herald.

This acquisition is seen as a new model for Asian biopharma companies to break into the Western market, marking a shift toward direct distribution channels instead of relying solely on third-party partnerships. Celltrion's portfolio includes biosimilars such as infliximab, adalimumab, and rituximab, which are generic versions of widely used therapies like Merck’s Remicade, AbbVie’s Humira, and Roche’s Mabthera. These products have brought Celltrion significant revenue, with infliximab alone generating around 170 billion won.

The acquisition of iQone Healthcare, which has seen impressive growth of 57%, provides Celltrion with a foothold in the Swiss market, where there is strong demand for cheaper biologic therapies. This comes as part of a broader trend where biosimilars are gaining traction as more affordable alternatives to branded biologics, particularly in European markets.

Another player in the biosimilar market, China’s Henlius, has also made similar moves, with a distribution agreement in Saudi Arabia, signaling the growing trend of Asian companies expanding their reach into international markets.

Celltrion’s move could potentially pave the way for other Asian biopharma firms to follow suit in pursuing direct access to Western markets, leveraging established distribution channels to meet growing demand for cost-effective biologics.