UCBJY UCB (PK)

ATLANTA, Dec. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company with North America Operations headquarters in Atlanta, today announced a collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology's Interoperability and Integration Innovation Lab (I3L) to explore the potential of predictive analytics to help inform treatment decisions for people living with epilepsy.

This project represents an important next step in UCB's efforts to harness the power of predictive analytics to raise the standard of epilepsy care. Last year, UCB completed a proof of concept study which explored the potential of utilizing computer models to improve epilepsy treatment selections — which may support improved patient outcomes and contribute to reduced healthcare costs. Building on this proof of concept study, UCB and the I3L are now seeking a pathway to deliver these analytics capabilities to the clinic where they can best serve patients.

UCB will contribute its expertise as a leader in epilepsy treatment and access to large sets of epilepsy data, while the I3L will supply access to an extensive collection of health IT resources and collaborators related to connectivity of critical data to electronic heath records systems.  The ultimate goal of the partnership is to develop an interactive system that can convert large amounts of anonymous patient data into real-time insights healthcare providers can consult at the point-of-care to inform treatment decisions.

"UCB emphasizes the creation of innovative networks of expert partners, both here in Atlanta and around the world, because we understand that collaboration is a most efficient way to deliver transformative solutions for people living with severe diseases," Jeff Wren, President of UCB North America, said. "By marrying big data and predictive analytics, we may be able to develop a system that physicians can consult in the clinic to help provide more personalized epilepsy treatment selections."

Epilepsy, one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system, affects approximately 65 million people worldwide and more than 2 million people in the U.S.^1,2 Anyone can develop epilepsy; it occurs across all ages, races and genders and is defined as two or more unprovoked seizures that occur at least 24 hours apart.³

"The innovative nature of this project reflects UCB and the I3L Lab's shared goal of delivering more patient-centric health solutions in Georgia and beyond," said Professor of the Practice Mark Braunstein, M.D., one of the I3L's founders.  "We believe that by arming physicians with insights to help them identify the best possible treatment options for people living with epilepsy, we can help drive better patient outcomes and deliver a higher standard of epilepsy care."

"The UCB - Georgia Tech collaboration is truly representative of our commitment to work closely with our industry partners to accomplish the Triple Aim-improve the patient experience, improve the health of populations and reduce per capita costs," said Margaret Wagner Dahl, Associate Vice President, Health IT and the I3L management team leader.

For further information

References

1. Epilepsy Foundation: About Epilepsy: The Basics Accessed 27th August 2014 from http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics 
2. Epilepsy Foundation. What is Epilepsy?. Accessed 27th August 2014 from http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/epilepsy-101/what-epilepsy
3. NINDS/NIH. Seizures and Epilepsy. Accessed 27th August 2014 from    http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm#196923109

About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With more than 8500 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of € 3.4 billion in 2013. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCB_news

About Georgia Institute of Technology's Interoperability and Integration Innovation Lab (I3L)
About the I3L: Georgia Tech's Interoperability and Integration Innovation Lab's mission is to accelerate heathcare delivery transformation by significantly reducing the time and cost from idea to market of disruptive Health IT.  The I3L delivers proofs of concept in support of research, education and commercialization, all in support of the Triple Aim – quality, patient-centered and economically feasible healthcare to the benefit of personal and public health.

Forward looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial information, expected legal, political, regulatory or clinical results and other such estimates and results. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions which could cause actual results to differ materially from those that may be implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important factors that could result in such differences include: changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to obtain them on acceptable terms, costs associated with research and development, changes in the prospects for products in the pipeline or under development by UCB, effects of future judicial decisions or governmental investigations, product liability claims, challenges to patent protection for products or product candidates, changes in laws or regulations, exchange rate fluctuations,  changes or uncertainties in tax laws or the administration of such laws and hiring and retention of its employees. UCB is providing this information as of the date of this press release and expressly disclaims any duty to update any information contained in this press release, either to confirm the actual results or to report a change in its expectations. There is no guarantee that new product candidates in the pipeline will progress to product approval or that new indications for existing products will be developed and approved. Products or potential products which are the subject of partnerships, joint ventures or licensing collaborations may be subject to differences between the partners. Also, UCB or others could discover safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products after they are marketed. Moreover, sales may be impacted by international and domestic trends toward managed care and health care cost containment and the reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers as well as legislation affecting biopharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement.

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SOURCE UCB