Mubadala And CBC Group Acquire UCB Pharma's China Business

Abu Dhabi-based global investment company Mubadala Investment Company, in collaboration with CBC Group, has announced the acquisition of UCB Pharma's mature business in China. This deal grants them full ownership of UCB's neurology and allergy portfolios in Mainland China, including the Zhuhai manufacturing site.

The acquisition encompasses UCB's neurology drugs such as Keppra®, Vimpat®, and Neupro®, along with allergy medications Zyrtec® and Xyzal®. In 2023, these products generated combined net sales of 131 million euros in China.

Strategic Expansion in Asia

This investment aligns with Mubadala's strategy to expand its presence across Asia by investing in sectors with significant growth potential. The focus on healthcare, particularly pharma carve-outs, is central to this strategy.

The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including anti-trust clearance and other customary requirements. It is anticipated to be finalised by Q4 2024.

Mohamed Albadr, Head of China at Mubadala, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with CBC Group. He stated, "We are thrilled to partner with CBC Group to support the next phase of UCB's platform as it scales to a leading entity in China and delivers transformative medicines to the markets. The company's dedication to clinical excellence and innovation aligns with our commitment to enhancing access to care and growth in the healthcare system."

Jean-Christophe Tellier, CEO at UCB, shared his confidence in the new partnership. He remarked, "We are convinced that Mubadala and CBC Group are the ideal partners to advance the medicine portfolio and continue to improve the lives of people living with neurology and allergy diseases in mainland China."

Mina Hamoodi, Head of Healthcare at Mubadala, highlighted the importance of CNS therapeutics in China. She said, "CNS is a large and growing therapeutic area in China that has an urgent clinical need. We look forward to building out a broader CNS-focused platform to benefit the China market."

UCB Pharma is a global biopharmaceutical company based in Belgium. It holds a strong position in China's immunology, neurology, and rare disease markets. The company is strategically positioned for growth within its Central Nervous System (CNS) originator drug portfolio.

The strategic collaboration between Mubadala and CBC Group follows their previous acquisition of Hasten Biopharma. This move underscores their commitment to creating dedicated platforms aimed at addressing unmet needs within China's healthcare sector.

Mubadala's vision includes expanding its footprint across Asia through selective investments across various sectors demonstrating robust growth potential. This latest acquisition is a testament to their ongoing efforts towards this goal.

The deal marks another significant step for Mubadala as they continue to build their presence within Asia’s healthcare market. By partnering with CBC Group, they aim to leverage combined expertise for greater impact. This acquisition not only strengthens Mubadala's position but also promises enhanced access to essential medicines for patients across Mainland China.