CBC And Mubadala Launch NeuroGen Pharma After Acquiring UCB’s China Business

CBC Group (CBC) is Asia’s largest healthcare-focused asset management firm based in Singapore. The company has successfully acquired the neurology and allergy business of UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company in China. The $680 million deal, completed in partnership with Mubadala Investment Company from Abu Dhabi, includes well-known brands such as Keppra®, Vimpat®, Neupro®, Zyrtec®, and Xyzal®, along with the Zhuhai manufacturing facility.

Fu Wei, Chief Executive Officer of CBC Group, said in a statement, “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 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 capitalise on synergies and deploy hands-on strategic guidance to make significant strides in CNS market access and innovation.”

This acquisition is a pivotal move in CBC’s strategy to acquire essential assets from global pharmaceutical companies and to establish a market-leading neurology business in China, a market valued at $33 billion. The newly formed entity, NeuroGen Pharma, will be an integrated biopharmaceutical platform focusing on central nervous system (CNS) treatments. In collaboration with Mubadala, CBC plans to leverage its strong healthcare expertise and innovative operational approach to scale operations, enhance efficiency, and meet the growing demand for neurology and allergy therapies in China and the broader region.

“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,” commented, Mohamed Albadr, Head of Asia at Mubadala.

NeuroGen Pharma will be guided by an experienced management team with a proven track record in the biopharma industry, ensuring a seamless transition and a strong foundation for future growth. The company aims to deliver high-quality treatments driven by cutting-edge research and innovation to address evolving patient needs and improve outcomes in neurology care.

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."

The acquisition builds on CBC’s existing partnership with Mubadala, which includes investments in the CBC Healthcare Infrastructure Platform and a $315 million fundraising round for CBC-backed pharmaceutical company Hasten. In 2023, the combined net sales of the acquired portfolio reached €131 million, highlighting its strong market presence. Through this acquisition, CBC further strengthens its foothold in China’s dynamic pharmaceutical market while positioning NeuroGen Pharma as a regional neurology and allergy care leader.