UCB announced a definitive agreement to acquire Neurona Therapeutics in a deal valued at up to $1.15 billion, including $650 million upfront and up to $500 million in potential milestone payments.
The acquisition strengthens UCB’s epilepsy portfolio and marks a strategic expansion into regenerative medicine and advanced therapies. Neurona Therapeutics focuses on developing cell-based treatments targeting neurological disorders, with its lead asset, NRTX-1001, positioned as a next-generation therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy.
NRTX-1001 is a neuronal cell therapy currently being evaluated in phase I/II clinical trials for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, the most common form of focal epilepsy. The therapy is designed to restore neural circuit function by delivering cells that produce inhibitory neurotransmitters, potentially enabling durable seizure reduction following a single treatment.
The investigational therapy has received Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and PRIME designation from the European Medicines Agency, reflecting its potential to address significant unmet medical needs.
UCB said the transaction builds on more than three decades of leadership in epilepsy and aligns with its strategy to pursue innovation beyond symptomatic treatments. The company expects the deal to close by the end of the second quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
UCB also reaffirmed its 2026 financial outlook, projecting revenue growth in the high single-digit to low double-digit percentage range and adjusted EBITDA growth in the high single-digit to mid-teens range at constant exchange rates.
Advisors to the transaction include Bank of America as financial advisor to UCB and Covington & Burling LLP as legal counsel. Centerview Partners LLC served as financial advisor to Neurona Therapeutics, with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati LLP acting as legal counsel.
KEY QUOTES
“The proposed acquisition of Neurona Therapeutics demonstrates our innovation strategy in action and reinforces UCB’s commitment to delivering meaningful innovation to people living with epilepsy, particularly forms of epilepsy with high unmet need. For more than 30 years, UCB has helped shape the modern epilepsy landscape. Bringing NRTX-1001 into our portfolio allows us to extend that legacy into the era of regenerative medicine. We believe this therapy has the potential to provide durable targeted repair of the nervous system following a single dose and could represent a major step forward for people living with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.”
Jean-Christophe Tellier, Chief Executive Officer, UCB
“We are thrilled that UCB, a global leader in epilepsy science, recognizes the promise of our platform and programs. Their deep expertise, global reach, and long-standing commitment to the epilepsy community make them an ideal partner to accelerate the development of NRTX-1001 for temporal lobe epilepsy. Additionally, the proposed acquisition highlights UCB’s commitment to scientific innovation, representing foundational synergy between the two organizations that will undoubtedly unlock the broad potential of Neurona Therapeutics’ regenerative pipeline. We are grateful to UCB for their investment and support these past years, and we are delighted for the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the broader UCB family to bring transformative cell therapies to patients around the world.”
Cory R. Nicholas, Co-Founder And CEO, Neurona Therapeutics
