CBC Group redefines CNS care in China with UCB portfolio acquisition

Singapore-based CBC Group, Asia’s largest healthcare-dedicated asset management firm, has finalized its strategic acquisition of UCB’s mature neurology and allergy business in China. In partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company, the CBC Group acquisition is valued at $680 million and encompasses several of UCB’s well-established brands, including Keppra, Vimpat, Zyrtec, and the Zhuhai manufacturing facility. This significant purchase of the UCB China portfolio underscores CBC’s ambition to lead in the China healthcare market, particularly in the central nervous system (CNS) therapeutic segment, which is valued at $33 billion.

The newly formed NeuroGen Pharma innovation platform is a pivotal outcome of the deal, focused on delivering better access to advanced neurology care and solutions for growing CNS treatment demand. CBC’s strategy highlights its expertise in healthcare asset management, ensuring the acquired portfolio becomes a cornerstone for addressing the unmet needs of patients in China’s burgeoning pharmaceutical landscape.

Strategic expansion to lead neurology care

The CBC Group acquisition of UCB’s portfolio is part of a larger strategy to establish a market-leading presence in innovative CNS therapies. By acquiring trusted brands and manufacturing capabilities, CBC is creating a robust platform to tackle rising demand in the China healthcare market for advanced solutions addressing central nervous system disorders.

According to CBC Group CEO Fu Wei, the deal reflects the company’s focus on combining financial acumen with operational expertise to create value for patients and investors. He noted that the collaboration with Mubadala is designed to position NeuroGen Pharma innovation as a leader in the China healthcare market while addressing CNS treatment demand with innovative approaches.

The acquisition also enhances CBC’s collaboration with Mubadala, which has been a key partner in previous ventures, including joint investments in healthcare infrastructure and pharmaceutical innovation. Mubadala’s strategic collaboration is central to scaling NeuroGen Pharma’s operations, ensuring a smooth transition while amplifying its ability to meet market demands for advanced neurology care.

NeuroGen Pharma: Driving future innovation

The creation of NeuroGen Pharma marks a significant step toward fostering innovative CNS therapies in China. The company’s leadership team comprises seasoned professionals from the biopharmaceutical sector, tasked with ensuring seamless integration of the UCB China portfolio while driving research to address the growing prevalence of neurological conditions.

NeuroGen Pharma’s approach is aligned with CBC’s broader mission to excel in healthcare asset management. This vision aims to deliver high-quality, patient-centric solutions, meeting the needs of both CNS and allergy care. The platform will also prioritize accessibility and innovation, ensuring a sustainable impact on the China healthcare market while fulfilling unmet medical needs.

UCB’s ongoing commitment to the region complements this transition. The company plans to focus on launching breakthrough therapies in central nervous system and immunology treatments while continuing to collaborate with Chinese partners. By entrusting its established brands to CBC and Mubadala, UCB ensures that the UCB China portfolio remains a key contributor to improving health outcomes in the region.

Building value through collaboration

The CBC Group acquisition of UCB’s portfolio generated €131 million in sales in 2023, underscoring its strategic importance to the company’s overall healthcare asset management operation. This partnership with Mubadala reinforces CBC’s leadership in the China healthcare market, reflecting a shared commitment to driving transformative change.

Fu Wei emphasized that NeuroGen Pharma embodies CBC’s investor-operator model, blending financial expertise with a deep understanding of innovative CNS therapies to create lasting value. Meanwhile, Mohamed Albadr, Head of Asia at Mubadala, underscored the importance of collaboration in creating a sustainable impact. He highlighted NeuroGen Pharma as a critical player in meeting the demand for advanced neurology care while fostering long-term growth in the healthcare sector.

The future of neurology care in China

NeuroGen Pharma is poised to play a transformative role in the China healthcare market by addressing the growing need for advanced solutions in neurology and allergy care. With robust support from Mubadala’s strategic collaboration and CBC’s expertise in healthcare asset management, the company is well-equipped to deliver on its mission of enhancing patient outcomes.

As China’s demand for innovative CNS therapies rises, NeuroGen Pharma stands as a testament to CBC Group’s dedication to reshaping the landscape of healthcare innovation. With the UCB China portfolio as a foundation, the company is set to redefine how central nervous system disorders are managed in one of the world’s largest healthcare markets.