UCB announced an agreement to buy Neurona Therapeutics in a deal valued at up to $1.15 billion, including $650 million upfront and milestone payments. Neurona’s lead asset, NRTX-1001, is focused on epilepsy. The acquisition follows a series of large neuro-focused buyouts in 2026 and comes as investors price-in potential catalysts across neurological disease areas. UCB positioned the transaction as part of building out its neuroscience pipeline. Industry impact: the deal adds to the pressure on large biopharma companies to replenish late-stage neuroscience franchises and validates that clinical-stage neuro assets remain acquisition targets at scale.