UCB (company)

This article deals with the company named UCB. For other meanings see UCB.

UCB or Union Chimique Belge (Euronext: UCB), is a global biopharmaceutical manufacturer headquartered in Brussels. It focuses on novel therapeutic solutions for patients with severe diseases treated by specialists, particularly in the fields of central nervous system disorders (including epilepsy), inflammatory disorders (including allergy) and oncology.

History

UCB was founded in 1928 by Emmanuel Janssen, a Belgian businessman. Initially focused on pharmaceutical division based around Meurice Laboratories.

In the early 1950s, UCB set up a research centre where new medicines such as Atarax® (chemicals and films.

The success of Nootropil made it possible for UCB to build a modern pharmaceutical site in Braine-l'Alleud, south of Brussels (Belgium). There, UCB developed Zyrtec® (levocetirizine).

At the end of 2002, the chemicals and films divisions were merged and UCB added the resins, additives and adhesives activities of Solutia, to form the surface specialties division. The films part has since been sold to Innovia Films (in September 2004).

In May 2004, UCB acquired the British biotechnology company Celltech, followed in March 2005 by the sale of the surface specialties business to biopharmaceutical company.

On 25 September, 2006, UCB announced the purchase of the German pharmaceutical company Schwarz Pharma for €4.4 billion [1]. As of July 2007 UCB holds approximately 87% of Schwarz's outstanding shares.