UCB Licenses Sepracor U.S. Patents for Antihistamine Levocetirizine.MARLBOROUGH, Mass. and BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Sepracor Inc. (Nasdaq: SEPR SEPR Senior Enlisted Performance Report ) and UCB UCB - University of California at Berkeley S.A. (EURONEXT: UCB) today announced a licensing agreement relating to the antihistamine antihistamine (ăn'tĭhĭs`təmēn), any one of a group of compounds having various chemical structures and characterized by the ability to antagonize the effects of histamine. levocetirizine. Under this agreement, Sepracor has exclusively licensed to UCB all of Sepracor's patents and patent applications in the United States regarding levocetirizine and royalties will be payable to Sepracor on U.S. sales of levocetirizine products. Under a separate agreement, Sepracor currently earns royalties from UCB on sales of levocetirizine in European countries where the product is sold. Levocetirizine is marketed by UCB under the brand names XYZAL(R) and XUSAL(TM) in the European Union European Union (EU), name given since the ratification (Nov., 1993) of the Treaty of European Union, or Maastricht Treaty, to the European Community for treatment of symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis Allergic Rhinitis Definition Allergic rhinitis, more commonly referred to as hay fever, is an inflammation of the nasal passages caused by allergic reaction to airborne substances. , persistent allergic rhinitis, and chronic idiopathic urticaria urticaria /ur·ti·ca·ria/ (ur?ti-kar´e-ah) hives; a vascular reaction of the upper dermis marked by transient appearance of slightly elevated patches (wheals) which are redder or paler than the surrounding skin and often attended by (CIU CIU Convergència I Unió (Partit Polític de Catalunya-España) CIU Columbia International University CIU Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria CIU Criminal Intelligence Unit CIU Criminal Investigations Unit CIU Crisis Intervention Unit , also known as hives hives (urticaria), rash consisting of blotches or localized swellings (wheals) of the skin, caused by an allergic reaction (see allergy). The swelling is caused by distention of the skin capillaries and escape of serum and white cells into the skin and tissues. of unknown cause) in adults and children aged 6 years and older. "Sepracor is pleased to extend its licensing arrangement for levocetirizine to the United States. UCB has built a successful antihistamine franchise worldwide and we are optimistic about the opportunity UCB has to expand it with the introduction of levocetirizine in the U.S.," stated Timothy J. Barberich, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sepracor. "We are very excited about our new licensing relationship with Sepracor in the United States and the prospect of expanding our antihistamine business," stated Roch Doliveux, Chief Executive Officer of UCB. About Sepracor Sepracor Inc. is a research-based pharmaceutical company dedicated to treating and preventing human disease through the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical products that are directed toward serving unmet medical needs. Sepracor's drug development program has yielded an extensive portfolio of pharmaceutical compound candidates with a focus on respiratory and central nervous system disorders Nervous system disorders A satisfactory classification of diseases of the nervous system should include not only the type of reaction (congenital malformation, infection, trauma, neoplasm, vascular diseases, and degenerative, metabolic, toxic, or deficiency . Sepracor's corporate headquarters are located in Marlborough, Massachusetts. About UCB UCB (www.ucb-group.com) is a leading global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceuticals and biotechnology products in the fields of central nervous system disorders, allergy/respiratory diseases, immune and inflammatory disorders and oncology - UCB focuses on securing a leading position in severe disease categories. Employing 8,500 people in over 40 countries, UCB achieved revenues of EUR EUR In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Euro. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. 2.1 billion (including net sales Net Sales The amount a seller receives from the buyer after costs associated with the sale are deducted. Notes: This amount is calculated by subtracting the following items from gross sales: merchandise returned for credit, allowances for damaged or missing goods, freight , royalties, and fees) in 2004. UCB is listed on the Euronext Brussels Exchange (UCB / UCBBt.BR / UCB BB) with a market capitalization Market Capitalization A measure of a public company's size. Market capitalization is the total dollar value of all outstanding shares. It's calculated by multiplying the number of shares times the current market price. This term is often referred to as market cap. of approximately EUR 5.8 billion. Worldwide headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium, and U.S. headquarters are located in Atlanta, Georgia. Forward-Looking Statement This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements with respect to the safety, efficacy and potential benefits of levocetirizine, the development and commercialization of levocetirizine in the United States and Sepracor's receipt of royalties under the licensing agreements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: the results of research, development and clinical trials; the timing and success of submission, acceptance, and approval of regulatory filings; the time and resources UCB devotes to the development and commercialization of levocetirizine; the scope of Sepracor's and UCB's patents and the patents of others; the commercial success of levocetirizine in the United States; and certain other factors that are detailed in Sepracor's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the statements in this press release represent Sepracor's and UCB's expectations and beliefs as of the date of this press release. Sepracor anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause these expectations and beliefs to change. However, while Sepracor and UCB may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Sepracor's and UCB's expectations or beliefs as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Xusal is a trademark and Xyzal is a registered trademark of UCB S.A. For a copy of this release or any recent release, visit Sepracor's web site at www.sepracor.com. |
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