Citizen Health has announced a major strategic partnership with UCB, a global biopharmaceutical leader in neurological and autoimmune research, to accelerate drug discovery and development in epilepsy and five rare disease indications. The multi-year collaboration brings together Citizen Health’s AI-powered patient insights and engaged patient communities with UCB’s long-standing expertise in developing therapies for complex neurological disorders.
The partnership is designed to dramatically advance patient-centered research by allowing Citizen Health members—who opt in to share their data—to participate across the full spectrum of drug development, from pre-clinical studies through post-marketing surveillance. This approach aims to give UCB access to richer real-world data while empowering patients to take part in shaping future treatments.
“UCB is leading the next wave of innovation in epilepsy and rare conditions,” said Farid Vij, CEO of Citizen Health. “We’re proud to partner with a team that deeply understands the needs of rare disease patients and is committed to advancing more efficient, patient-driven research models. They recognize the power of technology and AI to improve patient experience and accelerate drug development. Together, we’re focused on dramatically shortening the path to life-changing therapies.”
Citizen Health and UCB will promote their collaboration at the 2025 American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting in Atlanta, where they will highlight new opportunities for industry and patient engagement on the Citizen Health platform. The companies plan to expand research participation, enhance communication between stakeholders, and explore how AI can make clinical involvement more accessible.
Kimberly Moran, PhD, MBA, Head of U.S. Rare Diseases at UCB, said the partnership positions the companies to reshape the future of rare disease research. “Citizen Health is harnessing the power of AI and patient communities to help reshape the future of rare disease research in regard to clinical care,” she said. “This is an opportunity to fundamentally change the time and cost burdens of clinical research for the betterment of our industry and society at large.”
A core goal of the partnership is to simplify patient participation by improving transparency, communication, and consent processes. Citizen Health’s platform allows patients to share real-world data more easily, match with relevant research opportunities, and navigate their health records with more confidence. For many, this can mean earlier access to clinical trials and a clearer understanding of how their data contributes to scientific progress.
Justin West, MD, President of the KCNT1 Epilepsy Foundation, emphasized the importance of patient-centered innovation. “The epilepsy community needs bold partnerships like this to fuel real innovation for future therapies and cures,” he said. “I’m thrilled to see Citizen Health and UCB put patients at the center of their work.”
Epilepsy represents a substantial segment of Citizen Health’s growing user base. The condition, characterized by recurring, unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, affects nearly 3 million adults and almost 500,000 children in the United States. Its impact on daily life—including limitations on driving, employment, and personal relationships—makes the need for improved treatments urgent. According to the CDC, epilepsy costs the U.S. healthcare system more than $5 billion annually.
Beyond supporting clinical research, Citizen Health and UCB plan to co-develop experimental business models and explore up to three innovative AI applications. Their goal is to reimagine how technology can support safe, secure, and patient-centric healthcare delivery.
Colin Lake, VP and head of digital care transformation for neurology and rare disease at UCB, said the partnership aligns with the company’s long-term strategy. “Partnerships like this are vital to our digital strategy as we continue to reimagine how we connect with patients,” he said. “Citizen Health stands out for its genuine dedication to putting patients first and improving every touchpoint with the health system.”
The collaboration marks a significant step toward integrating AI, real-world data, and patient advocacy into a unified framework, with the ambition of accelerating breakthroughs for those living with epilepsy and rare diseases.