direct/ UCB (BE) - UCB Full-Year 2006 Financial Results

Strong Business Performance and Strategic Move to Become a Next Generation Biopharma Leader

- Revenue growth up 8% to 2.5 billion euro and on like-for-like basis, up 11%

- Growth driven by leading Keppra® performance in the USA and Europe, with net sales up 36% to 761 million euro. Xyzal® sales up 13% and Zyrtec® continued to grow in the U.S.A. up 12%

- Investment in Research & Development up 21% to 615 million euro focusing primarily on Cimzia(TM) in various indications, brivaracetam, Keppra®XR, CDP791, CDP323 and sclerostin

- Profit from continuing operations up 36% to 367 million euro, including 90 million euro capital gains after tax on the sale of non-core business and products off set by 30 million euro of after tax other non recurring charges. On a like-for-like basis, profit from continuing operations up 13%

- Proposed gross dividend of 0.90 euro per share (net 0.675 euro per share)

- UCB´s and SCHWARZ PHARMA´s ("Schwarz") balance sheets have been consolidated as at 31 December 2006. UCB´s 2006 income statement does not include any material impact from the acquisition of Schwarz, with the exception of some acquisition related financial and integration charges

Brussels (Belgium), 28 February 2007, 7:00 AM CET - UCB today announced its financial results for the 12 month period ended 31 December 2006.

Roch Doliveux, CEO of UCB, commented, "2006 was another landmark year for UCB where we made significant progress in implementing the strategy set up three years ago of becoming a next generation biopharmaceutical leader focused on selected severe diseases. UCB generated double-digit profit growth despite increasing investments in R&D and Sales & Marketing. Keppra® achieved outstanding growth and is now UCB´s number one product and market leader in the USA and Europe for the treatment of epilepsy. UCB´s Allergy franchise continued to perform well and significant progress was also made in our R&D pipeline."

"We are especially delighted about the successful acquisition of Schwarz Pharma, which gives UCB a global leadership position in neurology with a rich pipeline to accelerate growth and a strengthened and more diverse product portfolio."


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