NewBridge to commercialise UCB therapies in Middle East and Africa

UCB and NewBridge have announced an exclusive agreement to commercialise three of UCB's products in the Middle East and Africa.

UCB and NewBridge Pharmaceuticals have entered into an exclusive partnership agreement involving UCB's core products, Cimzia, Vimpat and Neupro.

Under the terms of the agreement, NewBridge will acquire the rights to these three products from UCB's previous partner in Africa and the Middle East.

The specialty therapeutics company will be responsible for managing the local regulatory approval process for the drugs, as well as future commercialisation and pharmacovigilance in each of the relevant countries.

Joe Henein, president and chief executive officer of NewBridge, said the transaction represented a "major milestone" for the company.

"We strongly believe that Cimzia, Vimpat and Neupro have great potential in our territory and will contribute significantly to the physicians' abilities to treat patients with immunologic and CNS afflictions respectively, thereby improving quality of life for these patients," he claimed.

Luc Vermeesch, head of international major markets at UCB, said he was "thrilled" to rely on NewBridge's "solid experience and strong leadership team in the Middle East and Africa region".