UCB will buy Neurona in a deal valued at up to $1.2 billion, positioning the Belgian pharma to broaden beyond its small-molecule epilepsy portfolio with a potentially one-off cell therapy. The acquisition is aimed at seizure treatment in a hard-to-treat form of epilepsy, according to the announcement. For UCB, the move signals continued investment in advanced therapies as it looks to diversify sources of growth. For Neurona, the transaction provides capital and development reach that can accelerate clinical testing and potential registration plans. The market impact is likely to hinge on how Neurona’s early clinical data translate into durability and safety in larger studies, especially in patient populations where current options remain limited.