When Nicole's daughter Emma was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome at four months old, Nicole lived in constant fear, always on alert and haunted by the reality that this rare, severe form of epilepsy could take Emma's life without warning. Then Emma started a new treatment.
Today, she can say her name. She can call Nicole "mom." She can enjoy everyday moments that once felt impossible.
Emma's story reminds us of what fuels our mission: innovation only matters when patients can access it. At UCB, we measure our success not only by what's in our pipeline, but by the value we create for patients and families. Our 2025 U.S. Sustainable Access and Pricing Transparency Report shows how we turned that principle into action: through strategic investments, patient-centered partnerships, and a commitment to building a healthcare system that actually works for people living with severe neurological and immunological diseases.
Investing in Innovation at Industry-Leading Levels
Access begins with innovation. In 2025, we invested nearly 30% of our revenue back into R&D - a rate well above the industry average of 20% and a commitment we've sustained for more than a decade. This is how we ensure patients like Emma have options.
That investment delivered real results:
- 4,000+ patients enrolled in active clinical trials
- Nine mid- and late-stage development programs advancing toward approval
- 16 approvals or indication expansions in just three years, including three rare disease treatments
We partner directly with patients and families throughout the R&D process, leveraging their lived experience to shape our research priorities. More than 25% of our U.S. workforce - working across 140,000 square feet of dedicated facilities - focuses on this mission every day.
Our legacy remains strong. In a testament to our unwavering commitment to research and patient care, over 30% of today’s U.S. epilepsy patients are treated with a UCB-originated molecule.
Building Access into Our Supply Chain
Breakthrough science only matters if patients can access it. That's why we're making our largest investment in U.S. manufacturing to date: a new state-of-the-art biologics facility that will ensure reliable, sustainable supply for the patients who depend on our medicines.
This investment of $5 billion in economic impact will:
- Create more than 330+ permanent, highly skilled manufacturing jobs
- Support over 500+ construction jobs
- Deploy advanced technologies and AI-enabled systems to enhance reliability and quality
- Build on our track record of 68% U.S. workforce growth since 2017 and $31.4 billion in economic impact over the last five years
This facility represents more than simply expanding our infrastructure. It signals a commitment to ensuring American patients have reliable access to the innovative treatments they need.
Making Access Affordable Through Sustainable Pricing
Innovation and infrastructure lead to access when patients can afford treatment. Last year, 167,975 patients received financial assistance through UCB programs. We believe no one should have to choose between accessing innovative care and financial stability.
For three years, UCB has offered patients a Direct-to-Patient program that enables patients to consistently access certain branded medications at up to a 90% discounted cash price. We're expanding this approach and reaching more people through UCB Cares and partnerships with more than 35 patient advocacy organizations.
Our pricing reflects our values: we price sustainably to support ongoing R&D while ensuring patients can access the treatments that transform their lives.
2025: A Year of Delivering Innovation Through Access
At UCB, we believe innovation equals access. Every decision we make, from R&D investment to manufacturing strategy to pricing policy, is guided by a single question: does this create value for patients and their families?
In 2025, we answered that question through industry-leading R&D investment, a historic commitment to U.S. manufacturing, direct financial assistance for nearly 91,000 patients, and advocacy for policies that expand access across the healthcare system.
Because when Emma can say her name, when her mother Nicole can feel a little relief, when families can access to the care they need without impossible choices, that's when innovation matters most.