Serving others is in our DNA at UCB – from committing to patients in our daily jobs to finding ways to make a difference in our communities through volunteerism. Each year, UCB employees get 32-hours of time off to volunteer their time at non-profits of their choice, and COVID-19 has not slowed us down from using those hours to help others during this difficult time. This National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating our employees, whose selfless efforts during this COVID-19 pandemic inspire us.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re reminded of the many challenges facing our world. At UCB, we recognize the challenges facing the world, from climate change to rising inequalities, are inextricably linked and that businesses have a key role to play to ensure a sustainable future for all. This Earth Day, we’re highlighting some of our progress as it relates to minimizing our environmental footprint across the value chain.

With the U.S. heavily impacted by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, UCB is committed to playing our part to contribute our scientific expertise and resources to the greater response effort happening across the country and the world. This includes expanding our assistance programs to further help patients impacted by the pandemic.

The emergency department is a common point of medical intervention for epilepsy patients. We recognize there are more than one million visits to the emergency department every year for epilepsy-related seizures . These visits are not only a significant cost to the healthcare system, but also often leave patients with questions and unease related to their epilepsy diagnosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also recognized epilepsy as a public health challenge where patients need more skills and resources to manage their condition effectively. That’s why UCB Inc. is working with Indiana University School of Nursing to address existing gaps in care when it comes to emergency department visits and epilepsy care.

Diversity and inclusion in clinical trials is critical, and UCB is working to find new ways to connect to unique patient populations through our technological and data driven approaches. Kim Doggett, Head of Site Engagement, and her team focus on how they can provide value to patients by finding new ways to build relationships with clinical investigative sites to ensure we are reaching the targeted patient populations where we hope to provide meaningful solutions. Read more from Kim as she shares UCB’s diversity and inclusion approach to clinical trials.

This Rare Disease Week, we continue to raise awareness about the need for continued innovation and development for rare diseases. At UCB, we have a fundamental commitment to people living with severe diseases, their caregivers, and their families, to help them to live their best lives. This means innovating to bring differentiated solutions with unique outcomes, offering the best individual experience, and ensuring access to all those who need these solutions in a way which is viable for patients, society, and UCB.

Since 2015, our Patient Value Strategy has been the driver of UCB’s approach to delivering value for patients. Our operational model puts patients and their individual experiences at the heart of everything we do – from discovery to development to delivery.

At UCB, we innovate to bring differentiated solutions with unique outcomes that help specific patients achieve their goals. To do this, we always start with the patient – listening to their experiences, what they value, and what their needs are – keeping them at the heart of everything we do. In honor of Patient Recognition Week, check out a few stories that inspire us to continue to invest in research, expand our scientific understanding, and deliver solutions that provide patients the best individual experience.

Over the last 10 years, UCB has delivered breakthrough medicines to improve the lives of patients. President and Head of U.S. Operations Duane Barnes, writes about how UCB aspires to innovate for patients over the next decade as we look toward 2030.

(L to R): Members of the U.S. Neurology Internal Engine Stephanie Hunter-Banks, Jim Hlavenka, Brad Chapman, Trenton Merideth, Tonja Pitts

UCB’s U.S. Neurology team won a 2019 EyeForPharma award last night in the “Most Promising Agile Transformation” category, which recognizes an experimental initiative that has the potential to disrupt the status quo. The award was presented for the team’s Internal Engine transformation, fulfilling the award criteria of showing agility through rapid creation of a service that touched real customers before being refined and assessed through smart measurement.