UCB reports half-year results

UCB has announced its financial results for the first half of the 2007 fiscal year, with the company reporting a three per cent increase in revenues on the same period last year to 1,861 million euros (1,250 million pounds).

This rise in revenues was driven by a 14 per cent year-on-year increase in sales to 1,709 million euros.

Net profit for the period fell 39 per cent on that for the first half of 2006, dropping to 171 million euros, with the company attributing this reduction to one-time expenses and charges relating to the acquisition of Schwarz Pharma.

Roch Doliveux, chief executive officer of the company, said: “UCB today is much better positioned for the future than a year ago – with significantly increased critical mass – large enough to advance an especially rich pipeline and launch our new products to specialists first.”

He added that its leadership team is now engaged in efforts to transform the firm into a next-generation leader in the biopharmaceutical industry, with UCB drawing on a stronger source of talent in its operations.

Earlier this month, UCB announced the “wonderful news” of the registration of a domination and profit transfer agreement between UCB SP and Schwarz Pharma on the commercial register in Germany – a move that enables the full integration of the company into the group.