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Celltrion secures 294.9 billion won drug deal from global firm

Published: 17 Mar. 2026, 13:42

A Celltrion plant in Songdo, Incheon [CELLTRION]

Celltrion, a major Korean biopharmaceutical company, has secured a 294.9 billion won ($198 million) contract to supply drug substances to a global pharmaceutical company through 2029, the company said Tuesday.

The contract value could rise to 375.4 billion won depending on mutual agreement between the two parties, the company said in a press release.

However, the company did not disclose the name of the customer, citing confidentiality.

Celltrion said its contract manufacturing organization (CMO) business has expanded since it announced plans last year to strengthen the segment.

Earlier this year, the company signed a 678.7 billion won CMO agreement with Eli Lilly and Company, bringing its cumulative CMO order backlog to more than 1 trillion won within the first quarter of the year.

The deal follows Celltrion's January acquisition of a 460 billion-won manufacturing facility in New Jersey from the U.S. drugmaker through its U.S. subsidiary, Celltrion USA.

Amid rising demand for contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) partnerships from global pharmaceutical companies, Celltrion said it is considering expanding its production capacity.

The company currently has a total manufacturing capacity of 316,000 liters (83,478 gallons), including 250,000 liters at three domestic plants in Songdo, Incheon, and 66,000 liters at its U.S. facility in New Jersey.

"Considering the need to expand manufacturing for our own products, along with growth in the CDMO business and rising global demand, we plan to actively pursue additional manufacturing capacity to support future growth," a Celltrion official said.

Celltrion has also been expanding its global biosimilar portfolio, increasing the number of approved products from six to 11. The company aims to commercialize 18 biosimilars by 2030 and 41 by 2038.

Its only original drug, Zymfentra, is currently sold in the United States to treat autoimmune diseases. The product is marketed as Remsima SC in Europe and other regions.

Yonhap