UCB's General Meeting of Shareholders 2021

Brussels (Belgium), 29 April 2021 – 18:00 (CEST) – regulated information - Today, UCB held its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM). In view of the measures adopted by public authorities to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and in accordance with article 7:137 of the Belgian code of companies and associations, this meeting was organised virtually.  At the AGM 148 614 833 shares (78,73% of shares entitled to vote) were present or represented. The message of Mr. Jean-Christophe Tellier, Chief Executive Officer of UCB, published at the occasion of this general meeting, is available on the UCB website.

During his speech, Mr. Tellier commented: “Thanks to our resilient teams, 2020 was another excellent year for UCB. We delivered strong results, proving once again that we can be confident that our current growth strategy supports our ability to care, grow and deliver”. 

Jean-Christophe Tellier also highlighted in his message the company’s performance to date in 2021: “We see the continuation of the good performance in 2020 – in-line with our expectations and in-line with our guidance for 2021.” On the topic of the pandemic, Mr. Tellier added: “We will continue to closely follow the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and its implications diligently to assess potential near- and mid-term challenges. As of today, we confirm all timelines for UCB’s clinical development programs as communicated during our FY 2020 report end of February. UCB will continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on all ongoing clinical trials and will implement changes as necessary. 

Looking at UCB’s FcRn antibody rozanolixizumab, Jean-Christophe Tellier pointed out: “we are going to investigate an additional patient population of people living with Autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) – a rare and serious medical condition, in which the immune system attacks the brain - leading to epileptic seizures, movement disorders as well as onset of cognitive decline in some patients. There is no therapy approved for AIE. UCB’s clinical development program with rozanolixizumab in AIE will start with a phase 2 study in this patient population during the third quarter this year. First results are expected in Q4 2023.”

The AGM approved for the fiscal year 2020 the payment of a gross dividend of € 1.27 per share (net dividend of € 0.889 per share) compared to € 1.24 per share for 2019 (net € 0.868). The ex-dividend date is 30 April 2021, the dividend (coupon no. 24) will be payable as of 4 May 2021.

During the AGM, several changes to the Board composition were approved. The AGM appointed Mr. Stefan Oschmann as Independent Director. He will become Chair of the Board in replacement of Mrs. Evelyn du Monceau who has reached the statutory age limit after serving on the Board for more than 35 years. Mrs. Fiona du Monceau was also appointed as Director. She will become Vice Chair of the Board in replacement of Mr. Pierre Gurdjian who will stay on the Board as Independent Director for the remainder of his mandate. Fiona du Monceau is a representative of the Reference Shareholder and does not qualify as independent Director in accordance with the criteria of the 2020 Code.

Upon reaching the end of his mandate, Mr. Roch Doliveux did not wish to apply for a new term for personal reasons and as such has left the Board and UCB. Mr. Jonathan Peacock was appointed as Independent Director and will become the Chair of the Audit Committee in replacement of Mr. Albrecht De Graeve. Mr. De Graeve’s mandate was renewed for a term of 4 years and he will continue to qualify as Independent Director until the General Meeting of 2022. 

The mandate of Mrs. Viviane Monges as independent member of the Board was renewed for a term of 4 years. She will continue to be a member of the Audit Committee. Professor Susan Gasser was appointed as a new member of UCB’s Board of Directors. Professor Gasser replaces Professor Alice Dautry who has reached the statutory age limit and will continue to be a member of the Scientific Committee of the Board. Her co-optation in the Board for the period starting on January 1, 2021 was also confirmed.  

Commenting on the Board changes, Jean-Christophe Tellier gave special thanks personally and on behalf of UCB to those leaving after many years of great service to the company: “I’d like to show my appreciation and gratitude to our Chair of the Board, Evelyn du Monceau who retired at the end of the meeting. Her expertise and guidance have been invaluable. Evelyn has always demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing better care and treatment solutions for patients with unmet needs. Jean-Christophe also wished to thank past UCB CEO and Board member Roch Doliveux who is also leaving the Board: “Roch steered UCB for many years and was instrumental into helping the company transform into a successful biopharma player. We worked together for many years and I’ve always welcomed his guidance and support.” 

For the curriculum vitae of the Board members, please visit the UCB website: https://www.ucb.com/investors/UCB-governance. 

All other agenda items put to vote at the AGM were approved by the shareholders. More information including details of the votes will be available soon on UCB's website.

The Integrated Annual Report 2020 of UCB can be downloaded on UCB's website at https://www.ucb.com/investors/Download-center or is available on the online portal at https://reports.ucb.com/annual-report-2020/home.
 
The financial results for the first half year 2021 will be published on 29 July 2021. 

Next year's General Meeting will be held on 28 April 2022.

For further information

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

Corporate Communications
Laurent Schots 
Media Relations, UCB  
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 8 400 people in nearly 40 countries, the company generated revenue of € 5.3 billion in 2020. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCB_news

Forward looking statements UCB

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