Citizen Health partners with UCB to develop epilepsy medication

Citizen Health has announced a long-term collaboration with UCB aimed at speeding up the development of therapies for five rare diseases as well as epilepsy. This partnership integrates Citizen Healths AI-powered patient insights and advocacy networks with UCBs extensive experience in drug development, targeting improved patient outcomes.

Through this agreement, Citizen Health members who consent to share their health data will become part of patient cohorts supporting the entire drug development lifecycle, from pre-clinical studies to post-marketing monitoring. Additionally, the partnership will explore new ways to engage both the industry and patients via the Citizen Health platform.

The collaboration offers patients opportunities to contribute real-world data and participate in clinical research. Communication channels will ensure patients are matched to studies and research initiatives effectively. Both companies emphasize transparent, simplified consent procedures to foster trust and clarity.

Farid Vij, CEO of Citizen Health, commented: UCB is driving innovation in the fields of epilepsy and rare conditions. We are proud to join forces with a team that deeply understands rare disease patients and is committed to patient-centered research models. Working with UCB across rare and ultra-rare programs, we have witnessed their steadfast commitment to tackling complex challenges and their recognition of AI and technology as tools to enhance patient experience and accelerate drug development.

Epilepsy remains a central focus for Citizen Healths community. The neurological condition affects around three million adults and nearly 500,000 children in the United States, with annual healthcare expenses surpassing $5 billion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Beyond clinical research, Citizen Health and UCB plan to explore experimental business models and develop up to three new AI-driven applications, emphasizing secure, consumer-focused, and technology-enabled healthcare solutions.

Author: Aiden Foster