Celltrion
A South Korean biopharmaceutical company focused on biosimilars, antibody medicines, and global biological-drug manufacturing and commercialization.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Celltrion is a South Korean biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Incheon. Founded in 2002, it developed a business model centered on the research, development, manufacture, regulatory approval, and international commercialization of biological medicines, particularly biosimilars and antibody-based therapies. Its activities span drug discovery and development, mammalian-cell manufacturing, regulatory submissions, contract development and manufacturing, and commercial distribution through affiliated and partner organizations. The company became internationally associated with the expansion of biosimilars into major pharmaceutical markets. Its first major product, Remsima, is an infliximab biosimilar directed at tumor necrosis factor alpha. It received approval from South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2012 and became the first monoclonal-antibody biosimilar approved by the European Medicines Agency in 2013. The product is used across several inflammatory and autoimmune indications, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis, subject to the applicable market authorization. Celltrion subsequently broadened its portfolio with oncology and immunology products. Herzuma is a trastuzumab biosimilar used for HER2-positive breast cancer and certain advanced or metastatic gastric-cancer indications. Truxima, originally developed under the code CT-P10, is a rituximab biosimilar targeting CD20-positive B cells and is used in indications including rheumatoid arthritis, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. These products helped establish Celltrion as one of the better-known biosimilar developers in Europe and other international markets. Commercial expansion has relied on a network of subsidiaries and regional partners. An earlier business predecessor, Nexol, was established in 1999 as a global business-management consulting firm. Nexol and Celltrion entered into a global distribution agreement in 2008; in 2009, Nexol was renamed Celltrion Healthcare. Distribution arrangements subsequently expanded through partners in the Americas, Oceania, Europe, Japan, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Celltrion Healthcare has been associated with the marketing, sales, and distribution of biological medicines developed by Celltrion, while Celltrion Pharm is another affiliated pharmaceutical business. Celltrion manufactures biological products at mammalian-cell-culture facilities designed to meet United States Food and Drug Administration current good manufacturing practice and European Medicines Agency good manufacturing practice requirements. In addition to its biosimilar portfolio, the company has pursued broader manufacturing and international expansion. It established an overseas corporation in Vietnam in 2024, entered a contract development and manufacturing agreement with Teva Pharmaceuticals International for Ajovy in October 2024, and acquired iQone Healthcare Switzerland in November 2024 to strengthen its European presence. Reference material also reports later expansion involving a manufacturing facility in Branchburg, New Jersey, and the acquisition of French healthcare company Gifrer, although the precise current operating status and dates of those activities require verification. Celltrion is listed on the Korea Exchange under ticker 068270.KS. Its founder, Seo Jung-jin, received the 2021 EY World Entrepreneur of the Year award. The company’s positioning is built around increasing access to biological medicines through biosimilar development, manufacturing scale, regulatory expertise, and international distribution. Its present scope therefore extends beyond a single product brand: Celltrion functions as a vertically integrated biopharmaceutical enterprise with commercial, manufacturing, and partnership activities across multiple regions.
History
Celltrion’s corporate history combines a biopharmaceutical developer with affiliated commercial and distribution businesses. Nexol, the predecessor associated with Celltrion’s international commercial structure, was founded in 1999 as a global business-management consulting firm. Celltrion itself was established in 2002 as a biopharmaceutical company, with Seo Jung-jin identified as its founder. The company’s early strategy was to build biological-drug development and manufacturing capabilities while creating routes to international markets. In 2008, Nexol and Celltrion entered into a global distribution agreement. During 2009, distribution channels were established in the Americas, Oceania, and Europe, with Hospira involved in European distribution. Nexol was also renamed Celltrion Healthcare, reflecting its role in the marketing and distribution of Celltrion-developed biological medicines. International coverage expanded in 2010 through arrangements involving Japan, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Nippon Kayaku was identified as a Japanese partner, while Egis was associated with Middle Eastern distribution. Further European channels were added in 2013 through Mundipharma, Biogaran, and Kern. This network allowed Celltrion to commercialize products across jurisdictions with different regulatory, pricing, reimbursement, and distribution systems. Celltrion’s most important technological and commercial milestone was the development of Remsima, an infliximab biosimilar. South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved it in 2012. In 2013, it became the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody approved by the European Medicines Agency. The approval marked a significant step in the acceptance of biosimilar antibodies in a major regulated market and established Celltrion as a prominent participant in the global biosimilars sector. The company then expanded into additional antibody medicines. Herzuma, a trastuzumab biosimilar, addressed HER2-positive breast cancer and advanced or metastatic gastric cancer. Truxima, initially known as CT-P10, became a rituximab biosimilar for indications involving autoimmune disease and B-cell malignancies. Celltrion’s facilities were designed around mammalian-cell culture and intended to meet United States FDA current good manufacturing practice and European Medicines Agency good manufacturing practice standards. During the 2020s, Celltrion continued extending its geographic and operational footprint. It completed the establishment of an overseas corporation in Vietnam in September 2024. In October 2024, it secured a reported 100.4 billion won contract development and manufacturing agreement with Teva Pharmaceuticals International for Ajovy, a migraine treatment. In November 2024, it acquired iQone Healthcare Switzerland for a reported approximately 30 billion won, with European expansion cited as a rationale. Reference material also reports further expansion involving a production facility acquired from Eli Lilly in Branchburg, New Jersey, which it says began operating in January 2026, as well as the acquisition of French healthcare company Gifrer in May 2026 and the formation of the company’s first union in June 2026. Because these events are future-dated relative to some historical accounts and their current details are not independently established in the supplied material, they should be treated as requiring verification. Celltrion remains a listed South Korean biopharmaceutical company whose identity is closely linked to biosimilar antibodies, regulated biological manufacturing, and global market access. Its affiliated commercial structure, including Celltrion Healthcare and Celltrion Pharm, supports a broader business model than research and manufacturing alone.
- 2024
Vietnam corporation established
[1]Celltrion completes the establishment of an overseas corporation in Vietnam.
- 2024
Teva CDMO agreement
[1]Celltrion secures a reported 100.4 billion won CDMO deal with Teva Pharmaceuticals International for Ajovy.
- 2024
iQone Healthcare acquisition
[1]Celltrion acquires Swiss pharmaceutical company iQone Healthcare to support European expansion.
- 2017
Truxima receives EMA approval
[1]Truxima, a rituximab biosimilar formerly known as CT-P10, is approved by the European Medicines Agency.
- 2013
Remsima receives EMA approval
[1]Remsima becomes the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody approved by the European Medicines Agency.
- 2012
Remsima receives South Korean approval
[1]Remsima, an infliximab biosimilar, is approved by South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
- 2009
Commercial network expands
[1]Distribution channels are established in the Americas, Oceania, and Europe, and Nexol is renamed Celltrion Healthcare.
- 2008
Global distribution agreement
[1]Nexol and Celltrion establish a global distribution agreement.
- 2002
Celltrion is established
[1]Celltrion is founded as a South Korean biopharmaceutical company.
- 1999
Nexol is founded
[1]Nexol, later renamed Celltrion Healthcare, is established as a global business-management consulting firm.
Products and positioning
An internationally focused biopharmaceutical company and major biosimilar developer combining antibody-drug development, regulated biological manufacturing, and global commercialization.
Infliximab biosimilar monoclonal antibody · 2012
Remsima
Remsima is Celltrion’s infliximab biosimilar, targeting tumor necrosis factor alpha. Its approved uses include a range of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis, depending on the jurisdiction. South Korean approval was obtained in 2012, followed by European Medicines Agency approval in 2013. It is notable as the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody approved by the EMA.
Trastuzumab biosimilar
Herzuma
Herzuma is a biosimilar version of trastuzumab, an antibody therapy directed at HER2. The product is associated with treatment of early and advanced or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer and advanced or metastatic gastric cancer. It forms part of Celltrion’s oncology-focused biological-medicine portfolio.
Rituximab biosimilar monoclonal antibody · 2017
Truxima
Truxima, originally developed under the code CT-P10, is a biosimilar of rituximab. It targets the CD20 molecule found primarily on B cells and is associated with indications including rheumatoid arthritis, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The product received European Medicines Agency approval in February 2017.
Brand decisions
2024
Enter the Ajovy CDMO businessOtherBackground
Celltrion pursued opportunities beyond its own marketed biosimilar portfolio and expanded its biological manufacturing activities.
Action taken
The company secured a reported 100.4 billion won contract development and manufacturing agreement with Teva Pharmaceuticals International for Ajovy.
Aftermath
The agreement broadened Celltrion’s role as a biopharmaceutical manufacturing and development partner.
Reported contract value. 100.4 billion Korean won (October 22, 2024)
2024
Acquire iQone Healthcare SwitzerlandM&ABackground
Celltrion sought to strengthen its European commercial presence.
Action taken
Celltrion acquired Swiss pharmaceutical company iQone Healthcare.
Aftermath
The acquisition was intended to support the company’s expansion in Europe.
Reported acquisition value. Approximately 30 billion Korean won (November 2024)
2013
European launch of RemsimaProduct launchBackground
Celltrion sought to establish biosimilar monoclonal antibodies in major regulated pharmaceutical markets.
Action taken
Remsima received approval from the European Medicines Agency as an infliximab biosimilar.
Aftermath
The approval made Remsima the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody approved by the EMA and strengthened Celltrion’s international biosimilars position.
2009
Rename Nexol as Celltrion HealthcareStrategyBackground
The affiliated distribution business was being used to support international commercialization of Celltrion-developed biological medicines.
Action taken
Nexol was renamed Celltrion Healthcare while distribution channels were expanded in the Americas, Oceania, and Europe.
Aftermath
The change clarified the commercial relationship between Celltrion’s biopharmaceutical operations and its global marketing and distribution activities.
Recent events
- 2024
Celltrion establishes overseas corporation in Vietnam[1]
Other
Celltrion completed the establishment of an overseas corporation in Vietnam on September 30, 2024, supporting its international business expansion.
- 2024
Celltrion signs Ajovy CDMO agreement with Teva[1]
M&A · Other
Celltrion secured a reported 100.4 billion won contract development and manufacturing agreement with Teva Pharmaceuticals International for Ajovy, a migraine treatment.
- 2024
Celltrion acquires iQone Healthcare Switzerland[1]
M&A
Celltrion acquired Swiss pharmaceutical company iQone Healthcare in November 2024, with the transaction intended to support expansion in Europe.
Sources5 sources
- 1Celltrionen.wikipedia.org
- 2Celltrion official websitecelltrion.com
- 3Celltrion unveils promising results for four-target obesity drugkoreaherald.com
- 4Celltrion, Inc.: Celltrion Completes Acquisition of Primary Care (PC) Product Assets for Asia Pacific Markets from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limitedfinanznachrichten.de
- 5Celltrion's Subsidiary Acquires Primary Care Product Assets for Asia Pacific Markets from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limitedfinanznachrichten.de
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