Decision maximises U.S. focus and resources on core products



Brussels, Belgium, 29 January 2010 - 18.15 CET -  Press Release, Regulated
information - UCB announced today that it plans to accelerate its U.S.
transition to a purely specialty-focused biopharmaceutical company and will exit
the primary care market in the U.S., effective 1 March 2010. This strategic
decision impacts the reported 2009 net profit with one-time restructuring
charges, while freeing more resources for core products. This transition is part
of the company's long-term strategy to become the patient-centric global
biopharmaceutical leader focused on immunology and neurology.


"Following the successful U.S. launches of our core products Cimzia®
(certolizumab pegol) and Vimpat® (lacosamide) and awaiting FDA approval for the
U.S. launch of Neupro® (rotigotine transdermal patch), we are focusing the
resources of the total U.S. organisation and strengthening the foundation for
the company's focus on immunology and neurology. After the exit of the primary
care market in most of Western Europe 18 months ago, UCB will now exit the U.S.
primary care market, and focus its resources on providing solutions to patients
who suffer from severe diseases with Cimzia®, Vimpat® as well as prepare for
Neupro®," said Roch Doliveux, UCB's Chief Executive Officer.


UCB has plans in place to ensure the continued commercialisation of all primary
care products. Effective 1 March 2010, sanofi-aventis U.S. will assume all of
the commercialisation responsibility for allergy drug Xyzal? (levocetirizine
dihydrochloride) in the U.S. UCB will continue to receive a percentage of Xyzal?
profits. Also effective 1 March 2010, the co-promotion agreement for ProAir? HFA
(albuterol sulfate) with Teva's respiratory division will end and Teva will
assume full commercialisation responsibility for ProAir?.


UCB will continue to support its cough medication, Tussionex® (hydrocodone
polistirex), which has significant brand recognition in the U.S. market, through
direct-to-physician and trade promotional activities that do not require sales
force support. UCB remains fully committed to the commercialisation of
venlafaxine extended-release tablets (VERT) through its subsidiary, Upstate
Pharma.


"UCB is extremely grateful to our entire U.S. primary care team. Their hard work
and dedication for more than a decade laid a strong foundation for UCB's future
success in the U.S.," said Greg Duncan, UCB's President for North America.
 "Additionally, through many partnerships in the pharmaceutical industry, we
have identified continued employment opportunities for some of our colleagues
affected by this organisational change."


This transition, the organisational changes in Europe and the debt re-financing
trigger non-recurring (one-time) charges to be accounted for in 2009. These
non-recurring charges are expected to reach approx. EUR70m (after tax), lowering
UCB's 2009 expected net profit as reported. However, UCB's 2009 total revenue
and underlying profitability (recurring earnings before interests, taxes,
depreciation and amortization, "recurring EBITDA") are not impacted by these
one-time, non-recurring charges. Further information will be available with the
publication of the company's full year results on 2 March 2010.



For further information

Patty Fritz, U.S. Policy and Communications
T+1.770.970.8585,patty.fritz@ucb.com 

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

Richard Simpson, Investor Relations, UCB
T+32.2.559.9494,richard.simpson@ucb.com 



About Xyzal®

Xyzal® (levocetirizine dihydrochloride) is indicated for the relief of symptoms
associated with perennial allergic rhinitis and the treatment of uncomplicated
skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and children 6
months of age and older, and for relief of symptoms of seasonal allergic
rhinitis in adults and children 2 years of age and older.


The use of Xyzal® is contraindicated in: patients with a known hypersensitivity
to levocetirizine or any of the ingredients of Xyzal®or to cetirizine (observed
reactions range from urticaria to anaphylaxis); patients with end-stage renal
disease with a creatinine clearance less than 10 mL/min or patients undergoing
hemodialysis; and pediatric patients aged 6 months to 11 years with renal
impairment.



Patients should be cautioned against engaging in hazardous occupations requiring
complete mental alertness such as driving or operating machinery when taking
Xyzal®. Concurrent use of Xyzal®with alcohol or other central nervous system
(CNS) depressants should be avoided. In clinical trials, the most common adverse
reactions in ?2% of adult and adolescent patients (12 years of age and older)
taking Xyzal® 2.5 mg or Xyzal® 5 mg once daily or placebo were somnolence (5%,
6%, 2%), nasopharyngitis (6%, 4%, 3%), fatigue (1%, 4%, 2%), dry mouth (3%,
2%, 1%), and pharyngitis (2%, 1%, 1%), respectively.



In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions in ?2% of pediatric
patients 6 to 12 years of age taking Xyzal® 5 mg once daily or placebo were
pyrexia (4%, 2%), cough (3%, <1%), somnolence (3%, <1%), and epistaxis (2%,
<1%), respectively. The most common adverse reactions in ?2% of pediatric
patients 1 to 5 years of age taking Xyzal® 1.25 mg twice daily or placebo were
pyrexia (4%, 2%), diarrhea (4%, 3%), vomiting (4%, 3%), and otitis media (3%,
0%), respectively. The most common adverse reactions in pediatric patients 6 to
11 months of age taking Xyzal® 1.25 mg once daily or placebo were diarrhea (13%,
4%) and constipation (7%, 4%), respectively. Visitwww.xyzal.com
<http://www.xyzal.com/> for full prescribing information.


About Tussionex®

Tussionex®  (hydrocodone polistirex) is indicated for the relief of cough and
upper respiratory symptoms associated with allergy or a cold in adults and
children 6 years of age and older. Each 5 ml of Tussionex® contains hydrocodone
polistirex equivalent to 10 mg hydrocodone bitartrate and chlorpheniramine
polistirex equivalent to 8 mg chlorpheniramine maleate.



Tussionex® is contraindicated in children less than 6 years of age due to the
risk of fatal respiratory depression, and in the presence of known allergy or
sensitivity to hydrocodone or chlorpheniramine. The most common adverse
reactions associated with Tussionex® are sedation, drowsiness, and mental
clouding, which may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for
potentially hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinery. Tussionex®
should not be taken with alcohol or other CNS depressants. Tussionex® is dosed
at 5 mL every 12 hours in patients 12 years of age and older, and at 2.5 mL
every 12 hours in patients 6-11 years of age. Overdose with Tussionex® has been
associated with fatal respiratory depression. Patients should be advised to
measure Tussionex® with an accurate measuring device. A household teaspoon is
not an accurate measuring device. As with any other drugs in this class, the
possibility of tolerance and/or dependence, particularly in patients with a
history of drug dependence, should be considered. Visitwww.tussionex.com
<http://www.tussionex.com/> for full prescribing information.


About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com <http://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.




[HUG#1378822]





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