UCB Full Year Report 2019

BRUSSELS, Feb. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- 7:00 (CET) – regulated information –

• Revenue reached € 4.9 billion (+6%, +7% CER^[1]) net sales increased to € 4.7 billion (+6%)
• Underlying profitability (rEBITDA^[2]) was € 1.4 billion (+2%, +11% CER) or 29.1% of revenue
• R&D update: bimekizumab with three positive Phase 3 results in psoriasis and a new Phase 3 program in hidradenitis suppurativa started; Cimzia with approvals in China and Japan
• Financial outlook for 2020: Revenue expected to reach € 5.05 – 5.15 billion,
  rEBITDA^[2] 28 - 29% of revenue, Core EPS^[3] of € 4.80 – 5.20 expected
• New peak sales guidance for Cimzia € 2.0 bn by 2024 and for Vimpat € 1.5 bn by 2022
• New Composition of UCB's Executive Committee in 2020

"2019 was a year of strong delivery and growth. Hence, we have updated the peak sales guidance for Cimzia and Vimpat and we continue to accelerate our investments into future growth drivers," said Jean-Christophe Tellier, CEO UCB. "Based on our promising late-stage pipeline and the pending Ra Pharma acquisition, we could potentially launch up to 7 products by 2025 to create patient value for specific populations now and into the future. Also, we focus on four sustainability areas that are critical to our long-term success and our contribution to society."

Revenue for 2019 reached € 4.9 billion (+6%; +7% at CER). Net sales went up by 6% to € 4.7 billion (+7% CER), driven by the strong double-digit growth of UCB's key franchises: immunology and epilepsy.

Underlying profitability (rEBITDA^[2] ) reached € 1.4 billion (+2%; +11% CER) with higher net sales overcompensating increased expenses for product launches and product development.

Profit was to € 817 million of which € 792 million (-1%; +15% CER) is attributable to the UCB shareholders.

Core EPS^[3] were € 5.20 after € 4.78 in 2018.

The Board of Directors of UCB proposes a dividend of € 1.24 per share (gross), +2%.

R&D update

Neurology  
In June, the Phase 3 study started in patients with myasthenia gravis with rozanolixizumab. First headline results are expected in H1 2021.

In January 2020, the Phase 3 study in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) started, first headline results are expected in H 2 2022.

In September, new data from a Phase 1 study indicated that UCB0107 anti-Tau was well tolerated with an acceptable safety profile. UCB aims to initiate an adequate and well controlled study in Q2 2020. UCB0107 is currently being investigated as a potential treatment for patients with tauopathies, initially focusing on progressive supranuclear palsy.