Press Release

March 18, 2026

Celltrion Healthcare Japan Co., Ltd.

CMIC HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.

CMIC Co., Ltd.

CMIC CMO Co., Ltd.

 

Celltrion Healthcare Japan and CMIC Group Enter Strategic Partnership to Expand Biosimilars in Japan

Collaboration to promote broader biosimilar adoption and ensure a stable supply, supporting healthcare cost containment and improved patient access

 

TOKYO, March 18, 2026 – Celltrion Healthcare Japan Co., Ltd. and CMIC Group today announced the signing of a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand Celltrion’s biosimilar business in Japan, support broader biosimilar adoption while ensuring a stable supply across the country’s healthcare system.

On March 17, 2026, Celltrion Healthcare Japan Co., Ltd. and CMIC Group entered into an MOU to leverage their respective strengths and expertise to advance Celltrion’s biosimilar portfolio in Japan. Under this partnership, Celltrion Healthcare Japan will contribute its global R&D and commercialization expertise, while CMIC Group will contribute its end-to-end service capabilities across Japan’s pharmaceutical value chain, including research and development, manufacturing, and commercialization. Through this collaboration, the two groups aim to support broader biosimilar adoption and ensure a stable supply of biosimilars in Japan.

 

Parties to the MOU
Celltrion Group

  • Celltrion Healthcare Japan Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo; President and Representative Director: HoUng Kim)

CMIC Group

  • CMIC HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo; Representative Director, President: Keiko Oishi)
  • CMIC Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo; President: Shunji Katayama)
  • CMIC CMO Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo; CEO: Terunao Tsuchiya)

From left to right:
Shunji Katayama, President, CMIC Co., Ltd.; Keiko Oishi, Representative Director and President, CMIC HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.; Ho‑Ung Kim, President and Representative Director, Celltrion Healthcare Japan Co., Ltd.; and Terunao Tsuchiya, CEO, CMIC CMO Co., Ltd.

 

Addressing Japan’s Growing Healthcare Needs

Japan faces growing healthcare expenditures amid rapid aging population, making the optimization of healthcare spending an urgent national priority. In therapeutic areas such as oncology and autoimmune diseases, where the use of high-cost biologics continues to rise, the wider adoption of biosimilars is expected to help reduce the financial burden on patients and healthcare systems.

To accelerate adoption, the Japanese government has set an ambitious national target: “By the end of fiscal year 2029, biosimilars will account for more than 80% of usage for over 60% of eligible active ingredients”¹

Despite ongoing policy initiatives, gaps remain between current biosimilar utilization and these national targets, and adoption varies widely by molecule. These conditions suggest significant room for further biosimilar adoption in Japan. Against this backdrop, the strategic partnership between Celltrion Healthcare Japan and CMIC Group is expected to serve as a strong foundation for establishing a sustainable biosimilar supply system in Japan, supporting both long-term policy goals and patient needs.

The companies will continue discussions and deepen collaboration across multiple areas, with the shared aim of promoting biosimilar adoption and improving patient access to high-quality, affordable treatment options.

 

¹ Source: Medical Affairs Bureau, Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical Industries Division, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) (March 14, 2024)

 

About Celltrion, Inc.

Celltrion, Inc. is a leading global biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development, manufacturing, marketing, and sales of innovative therapeutics that improve patients’ lives worldwide. The company is a pioneer in the biosimilar space, having launched the world’s first monoclonal antibody biosimilar. Its global pharmaceutical portfolio addresses a range of therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology, hematology, ophthalmology, and endocrinology. With advanced R&D capabilities, fully integrated in-house manufacturing, and a reliable global supply network, the company remains committed to innovation and delivering high-quality, affordable biosimilars and biologics. Beyond biosimilar products, the company continues to advance its pipeline with novel drugs that push the boundaries of scientific innovation and deliver innovative medicines.

https://www.celltrion.com/en-us/company/celltrion/about

 

About Celltrion Healthcare Japan Co., Ltd.

Celltrion Healthcare Japan Co., Ltd. is the Japanese subsidiary of Celltrion, Inc., established in 2014 and responsible for marketing, sales, and development in Japan. Celltrion, Inc. has developed a broad portfolio of biosimilars across multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, ophthalmology, and other specialty areas, many of which have been approved in numerous countries worldwide.
In Japan, Celltrion Healthcare Japan currently markets quality biosimilars, including infliximab, trastuzumab, bevacizumab, adalimumab, and ustekinumab.
For more information, please visit: https://www.celltrionhealthcare.jp/company/celltrion/about

 

About CMIC Group
CMIC Group launched Japan’s first CRO business in 1992 and now provides comprehensive support for pharmaceuticals—from development and manufacturing to sales and marketing. The Group supports overseas companies entering the Japanese market, conducts clinical trials in Asia, and provides development and manufacturing support in the U.S. and Japan. CMIC Group also provides new healthcare solutions that support individuals and local governments, and aims to expand its PHVC (“Personal Health Value Creator”) model, which focuses on maximizing personal health value. The Group consists of 28 companies and more than 7,700 employees worldwide.
For more information about CMIC Group, visit: https://en.cmicgroup.com/

About CMIC Co., Ltd.
CMIC Co., Ltd. is the core company responsible for CMIC Group’s CRO business. It provides end-to-end support for drug development, including consulting, clinical monitoring, data management, biostatistics, pharmacovigilance, regulatory support, post-marketing surveillance, and database studies. The company also leverages digital technologies and innovative methodologies to enhance efficiency and quality.
For more information about CMIC, visit: https://en.cmicgroup.com

About CMIC CMO Co., Ltd.
CMIC CMO Co., Ltd. is jointly owned by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) (https://www.dnp.co.jp) and CMIC　HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. (https://en.cmicgroup.com/). The company provides comprehensive support for pharmaceutical formulation development and manufacturing from clinical to commercial scale. Combining strengths of the DNP Group—including pharmaceutical packaging, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and AI/DX (Digital Transformation) support—with CMIC Group’s long-established operational excellence and rapid, reliable technology transfer capabilities, CMIC CMO delivers innovative, customer-focused services that contribute to global health and societal advancement.

Media Relations Contact
CMIC HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.
Corporate Communications
E-mail: pr@cmic.co.jp