UCB falls on Novartis' results read-across

Novartis AG

28/04/2026 11:44

** Belgian pharmaceutical UCB UCB.BR slide around 4.4% after Novartis NOVN.S published disappointing quarterly results, while investors remain wary of UCB's recent Neurona acquisition

** Jacob Mekhael from KBC Securities says sales in Novartis' psoriasis drug Cosentyx, a rival to UCB's star drug Bimzelx, are "not impressive"

** Cosentyx's performance "fuels fears that Bimzelx will have to offer higher discounts, negatively impacting revenue even if demand rises," David Seynaevve from Degroof Petercam notes

** Seynaevve adds that "the Neurona acquisition has not gone down too well", pointing to risks as Neurona's epilepsy treatment remains quite experimental

** "The market is not generally positive about cell therapy, it's been a difficult journey so far," Mekhael says, even as both analysts remain positive, citing synergies with UCB's epilepsy portfolio

** As of Monday's close, UCB shares were down about 9.4% in April, underperforming the wider European health index .SXDE which fell roughly 3.2% over the same period

 (Reporting by Jakob Van Calster)

 ((jakob.vancalster@thomsonreuters.com))