UCB launches strategic research alliance with Weill Cornell Medical College

Brussels, Belgium– 03 April 2014, 7:00 CET: UCB announced that it has launched a major strategic research alliance with Weill Cornell Medical College that aims to convert scientific discovery into transformative health improvements in areas of high patient need.

This research alliance reflects UCB’s belief that science progresses more rapidly when innovation is fostered by strong partnerships with leading academic partners.

UCB will provide funding for three translational research programs over three years in the areas of bone disorders, metabolic disease and rare genetic variant analysis led respectively by Dr. Laurie H. Glimcher, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medical College, Dr. Timothy McGraw, Professor of Biochemistry, and Dr. Ronald Crystal, Chairman of Genetic Medicine. The research programs are aligned with a key strategy of UCB NewMedicines to focus on the discovery of medicines targeting pathways with a high level of genetic and human validation.

Ismail Kola, Executive Vice President, UCB & President, New Medicines, UCB said: “No single organization can work alone to translate cutting-edge fundamental scientific research into transformative medicines for people with severe disease. That is why we are creating a super network with trusted scientific partners globally, combining knowledge of patient medical need with understanding of disease mechanisms. This strategic research alliance brings together Weill Cornell’s world class academic research with our discovery team with the shared objective of developing medicines that could transform the lives of people with severe diseases.”

“We are thrilled to enter into this strategic alliance with UCB to drive research discoveries made at the bench into the most advanced treatments for patients in the clinic,” Dr. Glimcher said. “UCB has an accomplished track record of developing first-rate treatments and therapies. With complementary expertise and a common mission — to help patients, improve health and save lives — our alliance will demonstrate the power of academic-industry collaboration.”

For further information UCB:

• Antje Witte, Investor Relations, UCB
  T +32.2.559.9414, antje.witte@ucb.com
• Alexandra Deschner, Investor Relations, UCB
  T: +32.2.559.9683, alexandra.deschner@ucb.com
• France Nivelle, Global Communications, UCB
  T +32.2.559.9178, france.nivelle@ucb.com
• Laurent Schots, Media Relations, UCB
  T +32.2.559.9264, laurent.schots@ucb.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 8500 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of € 3.4 billion in 2013. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCB_news

About Weill-Cornell Medical College

Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University’s medical school located in New York City, is committed to excellence in research, teaching, patient care and the advancement of the art and science of medicine, locally, nationally and globally. Physicians and scientists of Weill Cornell Medical College are engaged in cutting-edge research from bench to bedside, aimed at unlocking mysteries of the human body in health and sickness and toward developing new treatments and prevention strategies. In its commitment to global health and education, Weill Cornell has a strong presence in places such as Qatar, Tanzania, Haiti, Brazil, Austria and Turkey. Through the historic Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, the Medical College is the first in the U.S. to offer its M.D. degree overseas. Weill Cornell is the birthplace of many medical advances — including the development of the Pap test for cervical cancer, the synthesis of penicillin, the first successful embryo-biopsy pregnancy and birth in the U.S., the first clinical trial of gene therapy for Parkinson’s disease, and most recently, the world’s first successful use of deep brain stimulation to treat a minimally conscious brain-injured patient. Weill Cornell Medical College is affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where its faculty provides comprehensive patient care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. The Medical College is also affiliated with Houston Methodist. For more information, visit weill.cornell.edu.

Forward looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial information, expected legal, political, regulatory or clinical results and other such estimates and results. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions which could cause actual results to differ materially 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, the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to obtain them on acceptable terms, costs associated with research and development, changes in the prospects for products in the pipeline or under development by UCB, effects of future judicial decisions or governmental investigations, product liability claims, challenges to patent protection for products or product candidates, changes in laws or regulations, exchange rate fluctuations, changes or uncertainties in tax laws or the administration of such laws and hiring and retention of its employees. UCB is providing this information as of the date of this press release and expressly disclaims any duty to update any information contained in this press release, either to confirm the actual results or to report a change in its expectations.

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.