UCB optimizes its manufacturing network

Brussels (Belgium), 15 December 2010 – 7:00 AM CET - regulated information - UCB has agreed with Aesica, a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, that Aesica will acquire current UCB manufacturing businesses in Germany and Italy. The agreement is part of UCB’s strategy to optimize its manufacturing network in line with the evolution of its portfolio and includes the manufacturing sites of Monheim and Zwickau in Germany and Pianezza in Italy.

The around 600 employees in the three affected sites will continue their activity and be transferred to Aesica.

"UCB’s product portfolio has been changing significantly which reduced UCB's need for large manufacturing capacity for chemical entities, while increasing its biotech requirements. This new partnership is part of UCB’s strategy to optimize its manufacturing network while securing long-term supply for our products and to ensure a long-term future to the sites and their employees," said Roch Doliveux, CEO of UCB.

Dr. Robert Hardy, Chief Executive Officer, Aesica says: "The acquisition of the three manufacturing sites from UCB is strategically crucial for Aesica as we extend and enhance our current offering and presence in Europe. We hope to fully utilize the expertise and knowledge across the current team at UCB to achieve our vision of becoming the leading supplier of Formulated Products and Actives Pharmaceutical Ingredients to the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. In addition to welcoming the staff at the three sites into the Aesica team, we look forward to working closely with the wider team at UCB, as both companies see this as the first step in developing a long-term strategic partnership."

Subject to antitrust clearance, closing is expected for the first quarter of 2011. UCB's financial outlook for 2010 remains unchanged.

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

Michael Tuck-Sherman, Investor Relations, UCB
T +32.2.559.9712, Michael.tuck-sherman@ucb.com

Nancy Nackaerts, External Communications, UCB
M: +32.473.864.414, nancy.nackaerts@ucb.com

Notes to the editor

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 8 000 people in about 40 countries, the company generated revenue of EUR 3.1 billion in 2009. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).

About Aesica
Aesica is one of the UK’s fastest growing companies and over the last five years has more than trebled its turnover. The company currently employs 700 people and in addition to its headquarters in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, Aesica has development and manufacturing sites across the UK including Cramlington, Nottingham and Queenborough. Furthermore it has offices in New York, San Diego and Shanghai.

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 employees.