Ucb Licenses Sepracor U.S. Patents For Antihistamine

Worldwide Biotech, April 1, 2006

UCB S.A. (EURONEXT: UCB) and Sepracor Inc. (Nasdaq: SEPR) have signed a licensing agreement relating to the antihistamine 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 and XUSAL(TM) in the European Union for treatment of symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, persistent allergic rhinitis, and chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU, also known as hives 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 CEO 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, CEO of UCB.

About UCB

UCB is a 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 2.1 billion (including net sales, royalties, and fees) in 2004. UCB is listed on the Euronext Brussels Exchange (UCB / UCBBt.BR / UCB BB) with a market capitalization of approximately EUR 5.8 billion. Worldwide headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium.

For more information, visit http://www.ucb-group.com.

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. Sepracor's corporate headquarters are located in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

For more information, call 508/481-6700