Our approach to R&D: Transforming science into solutions

UCB Research & Development combines cutting-edge research, advanced technologies, and deep disease biology expertise to develop next-generation medicines for severe neurological and immunological diseases.

We are inspired by patients and driven by science to redefine what is possible in severe disease. This means moving beyond symptom management to address the underlying biology of disease, unlocking treatments that fundamentally change disease trajectories. It is our commitment and our belief that breakthroughs in biology can redefine what medicine delivers.


Inspired by patients

Understanding the patient begins with understanding their disease. We pursue genetic, biological, and chemical insights to uncover the mechanisms driving disease. Patient biology does not simply inform our science; it determines it.
 


Driven by science

Patient biology points us to the underlying drivers of disease. Science allows us to uncover how those drivers disrupt normal function, where intervention may be possible and translate pathways into precision, enabling us to identify promising therapeutic candidates.


Solutions with impact

Solutions are where biology, science and patient need converge. We uncover disease mechanisms, then match therapeutic modalities to biology. We aim to address root causes rather than managing consequences and alter disease trajectory.

Number of UCB researchers worldwide

Researchers
worldwide

Percentage of phase 3 clinical success

Phase 3 clinical 
success rate 

Number of countries with R&D facilities

Countries with 
R&D facilities

Percentage of revenue reinvested in research & development

of revenue 
reinvested in R&D 
 

Our drug modalities

UCB’s capability to develop new medicines spans multiple therapeutic modalities. Each is designed to translate biological insight into potential new therapies for patients.

Small molecules – New Chemical Entities

Small molecules are low-molecular-weight compounds that enter cells and modulate disease processes. UCB uses AI-driven drug discovery, structure-based design, high-throughput screening, DNA-encoded libraries, and mRNA-display compound libraries to design new chemical entities, including PROTACs and macrocyclic peptides, expanding targetable biology.
 

Learn more about small molecules

Large molecules – New Biological Entities

Large molecules, or NBE's are engineered from proteins and genetic material to precisely target disease drivers particularly outside cells and engage the immune system. Multi-specific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and fragment antibodies enable tailored pharmacological properties.

Learn more about large molecules

Advanced therapeutic modalities

Advanced therapeutic modalities are designed to act directly on disease biology at its source. UCB is exploring gene therapy, cell therapy, regenerative medicine, and engineered immune biologics to modify, replace, or redirect disease-driving mechanisms.

Learn more about advanced therapeutic modalities

Pipeline explorer

Explore selected UCB R&D programs. For the most complete and current information, refer to the full pipeline page.

 

A snapshot of UCB's clinical development pipeline
Discover the full pipeline

Inside our labs

Discover how we're advancing science to solve disease. Hear from our researchers, explore breakthrough stories, and stay updated on what's next.

Logo of the Hypothesize That podcast series

22 July 2026

Beyond one: how will multi-specific therapies redefine modern medicine?
 

Explore the podcast series

30 September 2026

UCB announces new data at EADV 2026 supporting earlier use of BIMZELX[®] (bimekizumab) for treating hidradenitis suppurativa

Read more

6 November 2025

How FASTRAX is transforming patient care and proving that innovation can scale

Read more

    Frequently asked questions

    Direct answers to the most common questions about UCB's research. 

  • What is UCB's approach to innovation in R&D?

    UCB focuses its R&D on severe neurological and immunological diseases. Our approach connects patient insights, human disease biology, advanced technologies and a broad set of drug modalities to translate discoveries into potential medicines.

  • What are the core therapy areas?

    UCB's research focuses on two core areas: neurology and immunology. In neurology, key areas of investigation include epilepsy and rare epilepsies, neuromuscular diseases, neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. In immunology, UCB is advancing research in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including conditions such as psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa and lupus, with the ambition of achieving clinical remission through approaches such as combinatorial biology, including the use of bispecific antibodies and small molecules alongside established biologics.

  • What drug modalities does UCB develop?

    UCB develops medicines across three modality families: small molecules (NCEs), including PROTACs and macrocyclic peptides; large molecules (NBEs), primarily antibody-based therapies, including bispecific antibodies and UCB’s proprietary Fab-PEG, TrYbe™ and BYbe™ formats; and advanced therapeutic modalities, including gene therapy, cell therapy/regenerative medicine, and engineered immune biologics.

  • What technologies and AI capabilities are used in drug discovery?

    UCB uses AI, data science, and computer-aided drug discovery (CADD) to analyze biological and clinical data, identify disease patterns, discover targets and biomarkers, and support drug design. Research is enabled by technologies including functional genomics, CRISPR gene editing, single-cell sequencing, multi-omics, organ-on-chip models, brain organoids, and large-scale biobanks. AI also supports small molecule discovery and antibody engineering, while a collaboration with Roswell Biotechnologies explores programmable biosensors for real-time, single-molecule biological analysis.

  • Are clinical trials designed to be more accessible to patients?

    Yes, trials are designed with patients as collaborators, using decentralised/hybrid models (at-home components, remote sampling, digital platforms), protocol-simulation rehearsals, and partnerships with groups like TransCelerate and Tufts University on diversity standards.

  • How much does UCB invest in R&D, and how large is its research organisation?

    UCB consistently reinvests more than a quarter of its revenue in R&D, supporting more than 1,700 researchers and approximately 9,000 experts worldwide. Our R&D network includes three strategic research centres, three research satellites, four manufacturing sites and six development sites, helping advance innovative medicines for people living with severe neurological and immunological diseases.

  • Where are UCB’s R&D sites located?

    UCB’s global R&D network spans research, development and manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Key locations include Belgium (Braine-l’Alleud and Leuven), Germany (Monheim), Japan (Saitama and Tokyo), China (Shanghai), Spain (Barcelona), Switzerland (Bulle), the United Kingdom (Slough and King’s College London) and the United States (Boston, San Francisco, San Diego, Durham, Seattle and Raleigh).