Aprogen Pharmaceuticals said Wednesday that the company’s NI-071 (Original: Remicade), a biosimilar that treats autoimmune diseases, has won a sales approval from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Two Japanese companies, Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical and Yakuhan Pharmaceutical, which have partnered with Aprogen _{에이프로젠}, will be selling the treatment.

“Aprogen has become the third company in Korea to receive biosimilar sales approval in advanced markets following Celltrion _셀트리온 and Samsung Bioepis _{삼성바이오에피스},” a company official said. “Although we started later than the two companies, we will increase market share based on competitive price.”

Japan’s Remicade market is known to be worth 1 trillion won ($876.4 million).

The company also plans to proceed and complete phase 3 clinical trials in the U.S. and apply for sales approval in America next year.

corea022@docdocdoc.co.kr

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