AC Immune SA (NASDAQ: ACIU) has announced significant progress in its pipeline of precision therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, according to their Q3 2024 financial results and corporate update. The company anticipates key data readouts and regulatory advancements that could transform treatment paradigms.
Parkinson's Disease Program Advances
The Phase 2 VacSYn clinical trial of ACI-7104.056, an anti-alpha-synuclein active immunotherapy for Parkinson's disease (PD), is progressing as planned. With over 30 patients randomized in Part 1, AC Immune is on track to report interim safety and immunogenicity data by the end of 2024. This data is crucial for establishing clinical proof of concept for this active immunotherapy approach in early PD.
Alzheimer's Disease Program Gains Momentum
A significant milestone was achieved with the rapid prescreening rate for the Phase 2b Retain trial of ACI-35.030 (JNJ-2056), an active immunotherapy targeting phosphorylated Tau, in preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD). This triggered a CHF 24.6 million milestone payment from Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a Johnson & Johnson company. JNJ-2056 has also received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), underscoring its potential to address the unmet need for disease-modifying therapies in AD.
Dr. Andrea Pfeifer, CEO of AC Immune SA, highlighted the importance of these achievements, stating, "These milestones and the high level of patient and investigator enthusiasm fueling the rapid rate of prescreening for Retain, further highlight ACI-35.030’s unique potential to prevent or slow progression in pre-symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease."
Financial Stability and Future Outlook
AC Immune reported a strong cash position of CHF 157.9 million at the end of September 2024. The subsequent receipt of the CHF 24.6 million milestone payment from Janssen extends the company's financial runway into 2027. This financial stability will support the continued advancement of its diversified pipeline, which includes sixteen therapeutic and diagnostic programs.
Additional Highlights
- ACI-24.060 (anti-Abeta active immunotherapy): The ABATE Phase 2 trial in AD remains on track with enrollment expectations.
- TDP-43-PET tracer: Phase 1 initiation is expected by year-end 2024.
- ACI-15916 (alpha-synuclein-PET tracer): IND-enabling studies in PD are expected to be completed by year-end 2024.
- Tau PET Diagnostic [18F]PI-2620: Partner Life Molecular Imaging (LMI) received Fast Track Designation from the FDA for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and corticobasal degeneration (CBD).
AC Immune's strategic focus on precision medicine and disease prevention in neurodegenerative diseases is reinforced by these recent advancements and financial stability, positioning the company for potentially transformative value inflection points in the future.
