History

1920s – Creation of UCB and early innovations

1930s – Expansion into industrial films and the US

1940s – Pharmaceutical support for the War effort

1950s – First therapeutic breakthroughs

1960s – Visionary research into biotechnology

1970s – Expansion of R&D and European network

1980s – The birth of a blockbuster (Zyrtec®)

1990s – Globalisation and birth of second blockbuster (Keppra®)

2002 – Building resources for next leap forward

2004 – Transformation into a pure biopharma

2006 – First filing of biologic and a major acquisition

Emmanuel Janssen established Union Chimique Belge (UCB) in Brussels, Belgium, in 1928, primarily focusing on industrial chemicals. It was one of the first companies in the world to distil ammonia from coal.
UCB also had a small pharmaceutical division based around the Meurice Laboratories. During the First World War, the scientists at Meurice pioneered a method to isolate and purify insulin.

UCB expanded into industrial films, notably cellophane, with the acquisition of Sidac (Société Industrielle de la Cellulose).
Entered the United States in 1936 with the purchase of the packaging business, Sylvannia.

Manufactured pharmaceutical products during World War II, including calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, insulin and sulphamides.
Reinforced its film business and international presence with the creation of Cellophane Española in 1943.

Established a pharmaceutical research center in 1952 and soon made a string of breakthroughs, including the discovery of one of the world’s first tranquilizers, Atarax® (hydroxysine), a non-benzodiapenic tranqulizer. Atarax® lent its name to a new class of therapeutic products – ataraxics – and provided the resources for the company to expand its R&D.
Awarded the US distribution licence for Atarax® to a small, young company, Pfizer – helping the US company evolve into a major pharma. UCB’s partnership with Pfizer continues to this day.

Started to research the potential of biotechnology in 1965 (and eleven years later established the UCB-Bioproducts Peptide Department).
Consolidated its position in chemical and films, moving into new ‘value-added’ fields.

Launched Nootropil® (piracetam) in 1972 for the treatment of memory and balance disorders providing the resources to create a new state-of-the-art pharmaceutical R&D centre in Braine-l Alleud, Belgium.
Still focused on three core areas - chemicals, films, and pharmaceuticals, the company expanded its network of European subsidiaries.

UCB registered its novel antihistamine Zyrtec® (cetirizine) – a brand that soon became a blockbuster with sales of more than $1 billion

Started development of Keppra® (levetiracetam), a novel anti-epileptic and another brand that soon became a blockbuster. The molecule behind it initially failed its screening programme but UCB persevered.
Keppra® was approved in the United States in 1999 in just ten months (fastest approval to date) and launched in 2000.
Zyrtec® reached blockbuster status.
Xyzal® (levocetirizine) development was initiated.
UCB established a presence in Japan with the acquisition of the pharma division of Fujirebio (Tokyo) including a factory in Saitama.
Acquired two pharmaceutical firms in the United States: Whitby Pharmaceuticals and Northampton Medical, to create UCB Inc.
Acquired subsidaries in Korea and Thailand.

Acquired Resins, Additives, and Adhesives division from Solutia, Inc. which merged with UCB’s Chemicals and Films divisions to form one division called Surface Specialties. The sale of these businesses three years later provided the resources for UCB to transform itself into a pure biopharma.
Xyzal® received European approval.
Keppra® became market leader in the US.

UCB decided to focus solely on biopharmaceuticals – with a combination of large, antibody-based molecules and small, chemically-derived molecules.
Acquired the leading British biotechnology company, Celltech, and sold its Films and Chemicals Divisions. A year later (2005) it sold its Surface Specialties Division.
R&D focus expanded from two therapeutic areas (CNS and Allergy/Respiratory) to four therapeutic areas (CNS, Inflammation, Oncology, and Allergy/Respiratory). Allergy and Respiratory were later included in Inflammation.

Cimzia®, our most advanced biologic was filed for regulatory approval in the United States and Europe for the treatment of Crohn’s disease.
Acquisition of Schwarz Pharma, the largest in UCB’s history, enriching our pipeline and product range, taking us into new fields, notably Parkinson’s disease.