UCB and Novartis to expand cooperation in Germany

Brussels (Belgium), 24 August 2009 - 7:00 am press release, regulated information - UCB and Novartis announced today that they entered into a licensing agreement for cardiovascular and diabetes products in Germany. Under the agreement, UCB has extended commercial rights for the German market to the cardiovascular medication Provas® (valsartan) beyond 2011 and has licensed in commercial rights for two line extensions: Dafiro® (valsartan and amlodipine) and Dafiro HCT® (valsartan, amlodipine and HCT). Dafiro HCT® is the first drug for the treatment of hypertension with a combination of three compounds in about 20 years. In addition, UCB will co-commercialize the two new oral anti-diabetics Jalra® and Icandra® (vildagliptin and vildagliptin + metformin).

"With this agreement we are building on our strengths in Germany, our excellent position in the Internal Medicine segment," said Willy Cnops, Vice President UCB and Managing Director Germany. "We are extending our cardiovascular and metabolic product portfolio with the most attractive and innovative treatment options to date in line with UCB's ambitions to offer the best medicines to our patients."

UCB Germany, with a focus on the fields of central nervous system, immunology disorders and internal medicine, is employing about 1 400 people (June 2009). In the field of internal medicine in Germany, UCB covers so far a spectrum of indications ranging from cardiovascular diseases to respiratory diseases through to vascular diseases.
UCB Germany is an affiliate of UCB S.A. Brussels, Belgium.

For further information
Nancy Nackaerts, External Communications, UCB
T +32 (0)473.864.414, nancy.nackaerts@ucb.com

Michael Tuck-Sherman, Investor Relations, UCB
T +32.(0)2.559.9712, michael.tuck-sherman@ucb.com

About Provas®
Provas® (valsartan) is administered to treat essential hypertension, unstable cardiac insufficiency, and for post-myocardial-infarction treatment. Valsartan is a member of the modern class of substances called angiotensin II receptor antagonists which, apart from possessing a high efficacy, also show excellent tolerability.
Three dosage sizes are available for treating unstable cardiac insufficiency and for post-myocardial-infarction treatment (Provas® 40mg, Provas® 80 mg and Provas® 160 mg).
Provas® comes in eight available dosage sizes for treating essential hypertension (Provas® 80mg, Provas® 160mg, Provas® 320mg, Provas® 80 comp, Provas® 160 comp, Provas® 320 comp, Provas® 160 maxx, and Provas® 320 maxx). Provas® has already proved successful as monotherapy and, particularly due to a side-effects profile equal to placebo, exhibits a high level of patient adherence.
The fixed combination Provas® 80, 160 and 320 comp and Provas® 160 and 320 maxx can - through the synergism of the active principles of two substances (valsartan + hydrochlorothiazide) - significantly increase the blood pressure reduction efficacy of Provas® as monotherapy.

About Jalra® and Icandra®
Jalra® (vildagliption) and Icandra® (vildagliptin plus metformin) contain vildagliptin, an innovative oral antidiabetic compound from the class of inhibitors of dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPP-4). Inhibition of DPP-4 slowes down the inactivation of Glucagon-like Peptide-1(GLP-1) in the gut, thus promoting the glucose-depending synthesis and release of insuline from the pancreas, and inhibiting the release of glucagon. Metformin is an active compound used in the oral treatment of diabetes mellitus for many years.

About Dafiro®

Dafiro® contains two compounds - amlodipine and valsartan. Dafiro® is administered to patients suffering from essential hypertension (high blood pressure) whose blood pressure cannot be sufficiently regulated by taking amlodipine or valsartan alone. Dafiro hence combines two antihypertensive substances with complementary mechanisms of action: the calcium antagonist amlodipine and the angiotensin II antagonist valsartan. This combination has an additive antihypertensive effect, lowering blood pressure more effectively than each of the components is capable of alone.

About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative medicines with a focus on the fields of central nervous system and immunology disorders. Employing approximately 10 000 people in over 40 countries, UCB generated revenue of EUR 3.6 billion in 2008. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).

Forward looking statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those that may be implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important factors that could result in such differences include: changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, effects of future judicial decisions, changes in regulation, exchange rate fluctuations and hiring and retention of its employees.