UCB completes sale of established brands and updates 2024 financial guidance

• Successful completion of the sale of two established brands, with proceeds categorized under “other revenue”
• Update of 2024 financial guidance, projecting revenue near €6 billion and an adjusted EBITDA margin expected now within the upper part of the range of 23.0-24.5%

Brussels (Belgium), 05 November 2024 – 07:00 (CET) – UCB is pleased to announce the successful completion of the sale of rights to two established brands, Atarax^® and Nootropil^® for Europe and selected countries in Latin-America and Asia-Pacific to ADVANZ PHARMA. In 2023, these products generated net sales of €64 million. This strategic portfolio decision, finalized in early November, represents another important step in UCB's ongoing efforts to optimize its product portfolio and concentrate on high-growth opportunities.

As a result of this transaction, with proceeds categorized as "other revenue," and along with the continued strong performance of key growth drivers BIMZELX^® (bimekizumab) and RYSTIGGO^® (rozanolixizumab), UCB is updating its 2024 financial guidance:

The company now anticipates revenue close to €6 billion, up from the prior guidance of the “upper end of the range of €5.5 - 5.7 billion”. Additionally, UCB expects its adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interests, taxes, depreciation and amortization) margin to reach the upper part of the confirmed range of 23.0-24.5%, with core earnings per share now projected between €4.25-4.65, compared to the earlier expectation of €3.70-4.40.

“We are pleased with the successful closure of the sale, which, combined with the strong performance of our key growth drivers, enhances our outlook for 2024,” said Sandrine Dufour, CFO of UCB. “This reflects our balanced strategy of managing our portfolio of established brands while continuing investing in global launches and innovation, positioning us to achieve our ambitious targets for 2025 and beyond.”

UCB will report its full-year 2024 results on 27 February 2025 and will provide financial guidance for 2025.

For further information, contact UCB:

Investor Relations
Antje Witte
T: +32.2.559.94.14
antje.witte@ucb.com

Sahar Yazdian
T: +32 2 559 9137
sahar.yazdian@ucb.com

Corporate Communications
Laurent Schots
T: +32.2.559.92.64
laurent.schots@ucb.com

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 approximately 9 000 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of € 5.3 billion in 2023. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCB_news