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UCB and ConfometRx announce new R&D partnership

Innovative collaboration launched with ConfometRx, a structural biology company founded by Stanford University professor and Nobel Prize winner Brian Kobilka

Brussels, 21 February 2013 – UCB announced today that it has sealed a research agreement with ConfometRx to enable the discovery of novel medicines addressing unmet medical needs in Neuroscience. Under this two-year multi-target agreement, UCB and ConfometRx will leverage structural biology to gain insight into G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) modulation towards the design of differentiated drugs. GPCRs are the largest family of signaling proteins in the human genome. They are involved in virtually all physiological processes and represent the single largest target class for medicines on the market.

The terms of the agreement, whose details are not disclosed, include an up-front payment, Research funding and success-based milestones.

Ismail Kola, Executive Vice President and President, NewMedicines at UCB said, “GPCR crystallization remains a challenge and requires state-of-the-art technologies as well as expertise. Professor Brian Kobilka is the first to have succeeded in crystallizing a GPCR target in the active state and was awarded the chemistry Nobel prize for his work in the field of GPCR structural biology. We look forward to working with ConfometRx as part of our continued strategy to innovate in drug discovery, transforming knowledge and insight into health-changing invention. We strive to fulfill our mission of discovering new medicines that aim to improve the lives of people living with severe diseases. The collaboration with ConfometRx is another example of UCB’s strategies at work where we are continuing to build supernetworks of innovation that are aimed at creating superior and sustainable value for patients.”

Tong Sun Kobilka, CEO ConfometRx, said: “We are delighted to be working with UCB’s world-class Central Nervous System research group to enhance their drug development activities. With over 20 years of experience working in the coupled receptor field and our unique technological approach, we believe that we can bring significant value to UCB’s novel drug development process. We look forward to working closely with UCB’s R&D teams.”

For further information UCB

France Nivelle, Global Communications, UCB
T +32.2.559.9178,
france.nivelle@ucb.com

Laurent Schots, Global Communications, UCB

T +32.2.559.9264, laurent.schots@ucb.com

Antje Witte, Investor Relations UCB
T +32.2.559.9414,
antje.witte@ucb.com


For further information ConfometRx

Please visit www.confometrx.com

About UCB

UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With more than 8 500 people in about 40 countries, the company generated revenue of EUR 3.2 billion in 2011. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).

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There is no guarantee that new product candidates in the pipeline will progress to product approval or that new indications for existing products will be developed and approved. Products or potential products which are the subject of partnerships, joint ventures or licensing collaborations may be subject to differences between the partners. Also, UCB or others could discover safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products after they are marketed.

Moreover, sales may be impacted by international and domestic trends toward managed care and health care cost containment and the reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers as well as legislation affecting biopharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement.

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