Celltech Medeva

Celltech Medeva (later Celltech Group) was a leading British biotechnology and pharmaceutical company formed by the 1999 merger of Celltech Chiroscience and Medeva. As a pioneer in antibody engineering, the company developed foundational technologies for humanized monoclonal antibodies and PEGylated fragments, leading to the creation of blockbuster drugs such as Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) and Mylotarg. The merger with Medeva added a significant portfolio of marketed products in the areas of ADHD and vaccines, as well as substantial manufacturing capabilities. In 2004, Celltech was acquired by the Belgian pharmaceutical firm UCB for approximately £1.5 billion, a move that transformed UCB into a global leader in biologics. The company's legacy continues through its contributions to the treatment of autoimmune diseases and oncology.