UCB Group Plans Job Cuts

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Brussels (Belgium) - November 17, 2009 - Press Release - UCB announced today its intention to make organizational changes in some divisions at its sites in Braine-l'Alleud (Belgium) and Slough (UK). The main purpose of this project is to optimize the transformation of UCB into a biopharma leader with the ambition to realize sustainable growth for the years to come.

Both Braine-l'Alleud and Slough are key strategic sites and play a pivotal role in UCB's biopharma strategy. At both the Braine-l'Alleud and Slough sites, UCB intends to adapt its NewMedicines division; additionally on the Braine-l'Alleud site, the company intends to streamline manufacturing support services, industrial development and some administrative functions. In this way, UCB aims to broaden its biotechnological capability in line with new product and pipeline requirements. The project also takes into account the need to invest in newly launched products while maintaining profitability following patent expiries.

UCB today informed its employees and employee representatives of the proposed projects that could impact 174 positions in Braine-l'Alleud and 44 positions in Slough and is subject to the information and consultation procedures which apply in Belgium and the UK. In parallel a series of new functions could also be created to meet new biopharma profiles and allow UCB to pursue its transformation.

"UCB's ability to adapt is key to maintaining our competitiveness within the world of biopharma innovation'' said Roch Doliveux, CEO of UCB. "We will help our employees to go through the changes ahead of us and I commit to an open and constructive dialogue with our social partners. Our priority will be to look for solutions that lead to a new future."

For further information Nancy Nackaerts, External Communications, UCB T +32 (0)473.864.414, , nancy.nackaerts@ucb.com

Michael Tuck-Sherman, Investor Relations, UCB T +32.2.559.9712, michael.tuck-sherman@ucb.com

Cindy Maas, External Communications, UCB T +32 (0)495.588.377, cindy.maas@ucb.com

About NewMedicines(TM)

Encompassing discovery research activities through to proof of concept, UCB NewMedicines(TM) is an innovative and externally networked organisation established to secure the future pipeline and deliver UCB's breakthrough products of the future.

A disseminated research organisation will maximise UCB's investment in scientific and medical breakthroughs via a highly collaborative approach to forming teams and projects to create new medicines. Based on a 'hub' model of operation, UCB NewMedicines(TM) is located on two key sites at Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium and Slough, UK. Operations at these hubs focus on the therapeutic areas of CNS (Central Nervous System) and Immunology with strong technology platforms underpinning the research. The organisation houses leaders and experts who possess the highest level skills to search, review, decide and transact on all aspects of the portfolio in all functions. Internal resources differentiate UCB whilst external resources are accessed for routine activities or to provide specialist complementary skills and capabilities. The organisation fully embraces external networking to support our focus on the pipeline delivery and breakthrough science. Medics and patients inform choices from the outset of projects.

About UCB UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative medicines with a focus on the fields of central nervous system and immunology disorders. Employing approximately 10 000 people in over 40 countries, UCB generated revenue of EUR 3.6 billion in 2008. 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.

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