BRUSSELS, BELGIUM -- 08/28/08 --
UCB has launched "SHAPE", a major global project to realize its
transformation into a focused specialist company in CNS (Central
Nervous System) and immunology disease areas. By this project, UCB
aims to increase focus on its core assets, re-deploy its resources,
advance R&D and simplify its organisation, while successfully
delivering UCB's new medicines to patients. SHAPE should lead to
re-allocation of EUR 300 million within the next three years,
improving both competitiveness and profitability. As part of SHAPE,
UCB intends to reduce its workforce by 2000 positions throughout the
world, representing approximately 17% of its world-wide workforce.
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - August 28, 2008 - press release, regulated
information - UCB today informed its employees and its respective
employee representatives about the details of its intention to
further shape UCB for the future and to accelerate its transformation
to become a specialist company. With a stronger focus on its core
assets, UCB aims to redeploy its resources, to simplify its
organization and to adapt for new skills necessary to shape the
company for the future. UCB intends to reduce its world-wide
workforce by 2000 positions which is planned to be achieved by making
around 2400 positions redundant and by creating around 400 new
positions. At the same time, an estimated 300 positions would be
re-deployed to UCB's core sites. This project is subject to the
information and consultation procedures which may apply in the
different impacted countries.
"Patent expiries are challenging times. However, following the recent
approval of Cimzia® for Crohn's disease in the U.S. and the positive
opinions for Neupro® for RLS and Vimpat® for epilepsy in Europe, the
time is now to take action to shape UCB for the future and become a
specialist company focused on successfully delivering our new
medicines to patients. Earlier this month, we announced the 'SHAPE'
project, which aims to re-allocate EUR 300 million within the next
three years towards increased investments into UCB's core CNS and
immunology business areas while also seeking to improve UCB's
competitiveness," says Roch Doliveux, CEO of UCB. "We will help our
employees to go through the changes ahead of us. Our priority will
be to look for solutions that lead to a new future. We aim to achieve
this through an open and constructive dialogue with our social
partners around the globe."
SHAPE: UCB's Project for Stronger Focus on its Core Business,
Building the Next Generation Biopharma Leader
SHAPE aims to:
* re-deploy UCB's resources on its growth drivers and core assets
while structuring the organisation accordingly
* simplify and clarify UCB's organisation, including flattening
hierarchies and consolidating core functions in core sites
* focus on core skills and adapt the competencies for the future
* build the future pipeline by investing in breakthrough research
and innovation
* increase utilisation of out-sourcing for non-core activities
These combined efforts should result in enhancing UCB's profitability
and competitiveness in the fast-changing biopharma world.
Background on SHAPE
UCB is actively pursuing its transformation into a leading
biopharmaceutical company. UCB is continuing to invest in its late
stage pipeline and innovative breakthrough research, while preparing
launches of multiple new products in its core therapeutic areas of
CNS and immunology. With the recent approval of Cimzia® for Crohn's
disease in the U.S. and positive opinions in the EU for Neupro® for
Restless Legs Syndrome and for Vimpat® for epilepsy, UCB has
successfully reached the point in time to become a specialist
company. At the same time and within the short span of approximately
twelve months, UCB is facing patent expirations in the U.S. for its
two biggest products, Zyrtec® and Keppra®.
Further information
Investor Relations and International Media Relations:
Antje Witte, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, UCB Group
T +32.2.559.9414, Antje.Witte@ucb-group.com
Media Relations Belgium:
Jean-Christophe Donck, Global Human Resources, UCB Group
T +32.2.559.9346, Jean-Christophe.Donck@ucb-group.com
About UCB
UCB (Brussels, Belgium, www.ucb-group.com) is a global leader in the
biopharmaceutical industry dedicated to the research, development and
commercialization of innovative medicines with focus on the fields of
central nervous system and immunology disorders. Employing around 12
000 people in over 40 countries, UCB achieved revenue of EUR 3.6
billion in 2007. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).
Forward looking statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on
current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. Such statements
are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results
to be materially different from those that may be implied by such
forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important
factors that could result in such differences include: changes in
general economic, business and competitive conditions, effects of
future judicial decisions, changes in regulation, exchange rate
fluctuations and hiring and retention of its employees.
Of course, UCB will respect the information and consultation
procedures in any country where applicable. In these countries, the
information and consultation process could, of course lead to changes
or alternatives. No decision impacting employment will be taken
before the information and consultation procedure with the respective
Works Council will have taken place.
For the pdf-version of this press release, please click on the link
below:
http://hugin.info/133973/R/1246826/269744.pdf
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