UCB Shares Climb 13% as Raised Guidance Reflects Strong Bimzelx Demand

what happened

According to Dow Jones Newswires, shares of Belgian pharmaceutical company UCB were up about 13% in European morning trading, erasing their year-to-date losses. Based on FactSet data, if the gain holds until the close, it would be the stock's largest one-day percentage rise in more than a year.

The company raised its guidance for the second time this year. It now expects 2026 revenue to grow in the low twenties percent range excluding currency effects, up from a previous forecast of low to mid teens growth. It also sees adjusted EBITDA growing in the low to mid forties percent at constant currency, compared with its earlier mid teens to low twenties range.

why it matters

The scale of the revision matters beyond UCB's own shareholders, as ING analysts expect significant upgrades to consensus estimates. The main driver is strong U.S. sales of Bimzelx, supported by robust patient demand and favorable pricing, along with continued contribution from the older drug Cimzia. The sale of an FDA priority review voucher is excluded from the new outlook, and the company estimates it would add a few more percentage points to revenue and adjusted EBITDA.

market impact

Belgian pharma: strong U.S. Bimzelx sales support UCB shares and sector earnings expectations

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