CBC Group and Mubadala acquire UCB’s mature neurology and allergy business in China for US$680  million. 

• New company is named NeuroGen Pharma, led by an experienced management team with a strong track  record in the biopharma industry. 
• Strategic acquisition under CBC’s buyout strategy expected to drive significant value creation and  positive patient outcomes through CBC’s proven investor-operator approach and solution. 

CBC Group (“CBC”), Asia’s largest healthcare-dedicated asset management firm  headquartered in Singapore, has completed the strategic acquisition of global biopharmaceutical company UCB’s mature  neurology and allergy business in China, in partnership with Mubadala Investment Company, the Abu Dhabi based global  investment company. The acquisition marks another successful transaction under CBC’s buyout strategy of acquiring key  assets from global pharmaceutical companies and a significant step in establishing a market-leading neurology company in China while expanding CBC’s portfolio within the region’s dynamic pharmaceutical market. The transaction, valued at  US$680 million, includes UCB’s well-known brands Keppra®, Vimpat®, Neupro®, Zyrtec®, Xyzal®, and the Zhuhai  manufacturing site. 

The well-established and trusted medicine portfolio will serve as an anchor asset as CBC builds out a leading integrated  central nervous system (CNS) biopharma platform in China, where the market size has reached US$33 billion1. Beyond  strengthening CBC’s presence in the rapidly growing Chinese healthcare market, the acquisition also enhances the firm’s capabilities in meeting the rising demand for neurology and allergy treatments in the wider region. In collaboration with  Mubadala, CBC will tap on its proprietary investor-operator approach, deep healthcare expertise and platform synergies  to drive operational efficiencies, innovation and scale to benefit more patients across the region. 

Fu Wei, Chief Executive Officer of CBC Group, said, “There is clear potential within the regional healthcare space to  better serve patients with unmet medical needs in this growing CNS therapeutics market, and we are delighted to partner  with Mubadala once again. This acquisition complements our existing healthcare ecosystem and aligns with our robust  buyout strategy, which is strategically positioned to drive long-term, sustainable value in today’s healthcare investing  market. Together, we are making a profound impact on the industry by harnessing our combined expertise and capital to  not only enhance patient outcomes but also build value for our stakeholders. Leveraging our joint strengths, we are poised  to capitalize on synergies and deploy hands-on strategic guidance to make significant strides in CNS market access and  innovation.”  

Named “NeuroGen Pharma”, the new company embodies what CBC and Mubadala envision for neuro healthcare innovation. The company will be led by a deep and experienced management team with an extensive track record in the biopharma industry, ensuring a smooth transition to propel into the next phase of growth. NeuroGen Pharma is expected  to deliver quality treatments to a wider reach of patients and play an important role in addressing the evolving neurology  treatment needs in China. The company aims to leverage innovative therapies and cutting-edge research to enhance patient  outcomes and shape the future of neurology care in the region.

1: Source：Frost & Sullivan analysis, RMB/USD=7.1 

Combined net sales for the acquired portfolio in this transaction were Euro131 million in 2023. The strategic acquisition  builds on CBC’s collaboration with Mubadala, which includes their investment in CBC Healthcare Infrastructure  Platform’s (HIP) first life science real assets venture and the joint investment in the US$315 million fundraising round for  CBC-backed Hasten, a leading pharmaceutical company. 

Mohamed Albadr, Head of Asia at Mubadala, said “We are thrilled to partner with CBC Group to support the growth  and development of NeuroGen Pharma as it scales to a leading entity in China and delivers transformative medicines to  patients. Built on a strong foundation of proven therapies and driven by innovation and cutting-edge research, the company is uniquely positioned to address the growing need for advanced neurology and allergy treatments while aligning with our  commitment to enhancing access to care and growth in the healthcare system.” 

Jean-Christophe Tellier, CEO at UCB, said "In the short term, UCB is exploring the launch of novel medicines in  immunology, neurology, and rare diseases in China. Our dedication to serving patients with unmet needs in China remains  steadfast. Building on our 28-year presence in the country, we are committed to driving patient outcomes through continued  collaboration with local partners and fostering innovation. We are convinced that the CBC Group and Mubadala 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."