2010 UCB Rheumatoid Arthritis Family Scholarship Winners Announced

ATLANTA, Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB, Inc., a global leader in the research and development of medications to treat immunology disorders, today announced the winners of its 2010 UCB Rheumatoid Arthritis Family Scholarship Program for outstanding individuals affected by this condition. UCB is awarding 31 scholarships worth up to $10,000 to help deserving students seek personal growth through higher education.

The scholarship winners include rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, as well as family members and caregivers. They were selected not only for their academic ambitions but also for their demonstrated determination to live beyond the boundaries of RA, as shown in their applications and essays.

"This year's scholarship winners are bringing to life UCB's vision of helping people with chronic diseases live better, more productive lives," said David Robinson, vice president and general manager of UCB's Immunology Business Unit. "We work hard to develop patient programs that assist patients live beyond the boundaries of their chronic illnesses."

For five years, UCB has awarded more than 400 scholarships -- totaling more than $3 million -- to individuals living with Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and epilepsy, as well as their caregivers and family members.

31 Winners, 31 Unique Stories

The winners of the 2010 UCB Rheumatoid Arthritis Family Scholarship Program have all overcome significant challenges and achieved impressive accomplishments in ways as individual as they are. Among them are:

• Ashley Atkinson, an animal lover and avid skier, who has competed in the Junior Olympics and has been selected for the U.S. Navy's Marine Mammal internship program
• Jennifer Horonjeff, a passionate dancer and certified Pilates instructor dedicated to helping others understand the role of exercise in maintaining health and strength
• John Livingstone, an outdoors and athletics enthusiast who founded his high school's outdoors club, and is an active swimmer, mountain biker, rock climber, runner and surfer
• Lawrence "Rick" Phillips, a motivated father and husband pursuing a doctorate degree in education to help contribute to the educational setting of online classrooms

Using Facebook to Inspire and Inform

UCB is harnessing the power of social media to spread the scholarship winners' inspiring examples and messages by launching a Facebook page for the 2010 UCB Rheumatoid Arthritis Family Scholarship Program.

The scholarship Facebook page will provide a space for current and previous scholarship winners to share their victories while living with a chronic disease. It also will feature a captioned photo album of the 2010 winners; videos of 2010 scholarship winners; updates from current and previous scholarship winners; and links to press releases and media coverage.

In addition, the scholarship page will keep Facebook users up-to-date on the application process for the 2011 awards.

2011 Scholarship Application Now Available

The 2011 UCB Rheumatoid Arthritis Family Scholarship Program is now open for applications. The downloadable application and more information about the program can be found at www.ReachBeyondRA.com as well as on Facebook.

UCB offers support to people living with chronic diseases, along with their families and friends, through a broad range of programs that foster independence and empowerment.  The UCB Family Scholarship Program™ is just one such program; for information on others, visit www.UCB-usa.com/patients.

About Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects more than 1.3 million Americans, and it is estimated that 5 million people suffer from RA globally. Prevalence is not split evenly between genders, since women are three times more likely to be affected than men. Although RA can affect people of all ages, the onset of the disease usually occurs between 35-55 years of age.

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 8 000 people in about 40 countries, the company generated revenue of EUR 3.1 billion in 2009. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).

For further information on UCB products, please visit www.UCB.com.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different 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, effects of future judicial decisions, changes in regulation, exchange rate fluctuations and hiring and retention of its employees.

SOURCE UCB