South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion Inc. will launch its new biosimilar Truxima in the U.S. market next week.

Celltrion Healthcare Co. and Teva Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. said Thursday that Truxima will be available in the United States from Monday.

This image, provided by Celltrion Healthcare Co., shows bottles of Truxima. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Truxima is a biosimilar drug based on Rituxan, originally developed by Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche Holding Ltd. Last year, Celltrion received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Truxima.

It will be the first FDA-approved rituximab biosimilar sold in the U.S., according to the companies.

Truxima was also the first biosimilar cancer drug to hit the European market in 2017. The drug is sold in 28 European Union countries and set to reach the Middle East market. (Yonhap)

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