UCB makes “significant progress” in product pipeline

UCB Pharma, the Belgian pharmaceutical company, has said it has made “significant progress” in its product pipeline while increasing profits.

In the company’s half-yearly results, net sales were up by nine per cent, helped by Keppra, the company’s anti-epileptic drug, which demonstrated a 42 per cent increase in sales. Over-the-counter allergy treatments like Zirtek also sold strongly.

Investment in future drugs, which may be making their way to the UK after successful European regulatory approval, increased by 24 per cent, representing over a quarter of UCB’s sales. The company said it was finding new indications for Cimzia, which has shown promise in treating Crohn’s disease, as well as demonstrating “extremely encouraging” phase II trial data for the treatment of psoriasis.

Roch Doliveux, UCB’s chief executive officer, remarked: “UCB performed well in the first half of 2006, delivering solid results financially, in research and development and strategically.”

“Significant progress was also made in our research and development pipeline, with the launch of a phase III trial for Keppra XR, the new extended release form of Keppra and approval of a number of new Keppra indications,” he added.

“Furthermore Cimzia was filed for regulatory approval in Crohn’s disease with the FDA and European Medicines Agency and achieved extremely encouraging phase II results in psoriasis,” Mr Doliveux concluded.

UCB operates a research facility in Slough, as part of its 1,400-strong research and development division.

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