Celltrion said Friday its second-quarter operating profit increased 77 percent year-on-year to 430 billion won ($278.14 million), driven by a higher share of new high-margin products and an improved cost structure. In its regulatory filing, the biopharmaceutical company reported 1.3 trillion won in sales and 430 billion won in operating profit for the second quarter, both record highs for the April-June period. Sales increased 35.2 percent from a year earlier. It said the numbers also exceeded a previously announced second-quarter operating profit target of 400 billion won, reinforcing confidence in its ability to deliver on its full-year business plan. During the second quarter, sales of the company’s newer products, including Remsima SC, Yuflyma and Steqeyma, continued to grow across major global markets, with the new products accounting for more than 60 percent of total sales. Celltrion also said it is seeking regulatory approvals in Korea and North America for CT-P55, a biosimilar referencing Cosentyx for autoimmune diseases. It is also pursuing approvals in major markets for Herzuma
