PIERRE FABRE ACQUIRES PART OF UCB'S OTC PORTFOLIO

French drugmaker Pierre Fabre announced it has acquired UCB's OTC business in certain European countries. The deal involves certain older products (Carbolevure, Revitalose, Balsoclase and Toclase) that represent annual sales of approximately 18 million euros.

The transaction includes the sale of Belgium-based UCB's OTC assets in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Greece. UCB will continue to manufacture and supply some of the transferred products during a transitional period.

Furthermore, UCB and Pierre Fabre have entered into a distribution agreement under which Pierre Fabre will pursue the active marketing of UCB's leading antihistamine, ZyrtecSet, for the OTC market in France.

"The acquisition of UCB's OTC business in these countries perfectly fits Pierre Fabre's strategy of developing its healthcare division and enlarge its portfolio with strong brands in France, as well as in countries where the group is already well established," Pierre-Yves Revol, CEO of Pierre Fabre, said.