UCB Proudly Reinforces Ongoing Dedication to Patients and Physicians at American College of Gastroenterology 2012 Annual Scientific Meeting

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Oct 18, 2012, 11:03 ET

ATLANTA, Oct. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company focusing on immunology and neuroscience treatment and research, is marking the 2012 American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada by reinforcing its commitment to improving the lives of patients with Crohn's disease. UCB will present scientific data at this year's ACG meeting, October 19-24.

"The annual ACG meeting gives UCB the opportunity to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to gastroenterologists and the patients they treat," said Carol Satler, MD, PhD, Vice President, U.S. Medical Affairs, UCB, Inc. "UCB's support of the Crohn's disease community extends beyond the development of effective therapies, and is demonstrated through valuable resources, including educational and advocacy programs."

As a patient-centric global biopharmaceutical leader, UCB transforms the lives of people living with severe diseases through scientific research, advocacy and programming. The company provides financial support for important professional and patient programs, including Crohn'sAdvocate™.

"When I was first diagnosed with Crohn's disease, my future seemed unclear and I felt as though the diagnosis would limit me – until I realized my condition doesn't have to control my life," said Crohn's Advocate Jillian Coghill. "By sharing my experience with Crohn's disease through the Crohn'sAdvocate program I am able to connect, educate and empower others living with the disease and dispel myths about Crohn's in the community at large. It's reassuring to know that we are not alone."

Championing the Crohn's Patient Community

Crohn'sAdvocate Program: Since 2009, UCB has supported this patient program, which connects a team of more than 20 inspiring Advocates, committed to educating the public about Crohn's disease and overcoming stigmas associated with the condition. Crohn's Advocates encourage others to educate and empower themselves by sharing their personal stories and raising awareness of the condition. The program also publishes Crohn'sAdvocate, a free magazine featuring members of the program along with a variety of patients, including activists, celebrities and athletes who live beyond the boundaries of Crohn's disease.

UCB Crohn's Scholarship Program: UCB has awarded almost 200 scholarships totaling $1,770,000 in education support since 2006. Scholarship winners are selected for their academic and personal accomplishments, commitment to their communities and determination to live beyond the boundaries of Crohn's disease.

Connecting with the Crohn's Community Online

CrohnsAndMe.com: A robust online patient resource, www.CrohnsAndMe.com, takes an all-encompassing approach to connecting, educating and empowering people living with Crohn's disease. Crohn's & Me recently launched on Facebook, where the Crohn's online community can come together and share stories and participate in timely conversations about life with the condition.

Supporting the Advocacy Community

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America Corporate Sponsorship: UCB's ongoing sponsorship of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) helps to raise awareness about Crohn's disease, strengthen research efforts, and provide education to patients living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Through several national and local media activities, UCB is proud to support the CCFA's annual Crohn's & Colitis Awareness Week, December 1-7, which recognizes the need to rally public support for these debilitating and often misdiagnosed conditions.

"Get Your Guts in Gear" Official Sponsorship: UCB proudly sponsors this unique not-for-profit organization that raises awareness of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis through multi-day cycling events that benefit and support inflammatory bowel disease organizations and patient advocacy groups.

Education for Healthcare Providers

UCB will sponsor a symposium at ACG, Living with Crohn's Disease: Considerations for Women with Crohn's. The symposium will provide educational information for attendees on the female experience with Crohn's, including family planning, genetics and surgery.

For further Information:
Andrea Levin, Associate Director, U.S. Communications and Public Relations
770.970.8352, [email protected]

Dena Koklanaris, Cooney/Waters Group
212.886.2228, [email protected]

About Crohn's DiseaseCrohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, progressive, destructive disorder that causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, most commonly at the end of the small intestine (the ileum) and beginning of the large intestine (the colon). If not effectively treated, it may result in the need for surgery and hospitalization. CD has been estimated to affect as many as 700,000 Americans. People with CD can experience an ongoing cycle of flare-up and remission throughout their lives.

About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With more than 8,500 people in about 40 countries, the company generated revenue of EUR 3.2 billion in 2011. 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. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial information, expected legal, political, regulatory or clinical results and other such estimates and results. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions which could cause actual results to differ materially 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, the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to obtain them on acceptable terms, costs associated with research and development, changes in the prospects for products in the pipeline or under development by UCB, effects of future judicial decisions or governmental investigations, product liability claims, challenges to patent protection for products or product candidates, changes in laws or regulations, exchange rate fluctuations, changes or uncertainties in tax laws or the administration of such laws and hiring and retention of its employees. UCB is providing this information as of the date of this press release and expressly disclaims any duty to update any information contained in this press release, either to confirm the actual results or to report a change in its expectations.

There is no guarantee that new product candidates in the pipeline will progress to product approval or that new indications for existing products will be developed and approved. Products or potential products which are the subject of partnerships, joint ventures or licensing collaborations may be subject to differences between the partners. Also, UCB or others could discover safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products after they are marketed.

Moreover, sales may be impacted by international and domestic trends toward managed care and health care cost containment and the reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers as well as legislation affecting biopharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement.

SOURCE UCB