Finalist
A blockbuster year: Establishing UCB as a leader in UK life sciences
Summary of work
UCB is a Belgium-based biopharmaceutical company and leading investor in UK life science R&D. However, despite increased and continued investment, the company felt that its achievements and investment in the UK were not being recognised and that they were unable to contribute to vital discussions affecting R&D that were taking place within the sector.
Hanover developed a multichannel communications campaign employing a combination of stakeholder and media engagement to develop a compelling evidence base around life science funding and position UCB as a biopharmaceutical industry leader in the UK. We used 2014, which marked UCB’s ten-year anniversary of its acquisition of Celltech, as the focal-point of UCB’s communications programme to deliver a series of set piece events and briefings with key members of the science community, policy makers, media and industry peers. The year culminated with UCB being recognised as a major player in UK life sciences with increased awareness and support across the sector.
Judges’ comments
This initiative catalysed an engaging corporate communications programme that resulted in a sustained leadership position with external stakeholders and built a compelling story for UCB. It created a real impact in terms of awareness and acknowledgement of the company in R&D.
