AC Immune (NASDAQ: ACIU) stock surged over 40% in intraday trading Monday after the company inked a $2.1 billion deal with Takeda Pharmaceutical for an Alzheimer’s therapy.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, a Japanese pharma company, and AC Immune have struck an exclusive global deal to develop ACI-24.060, a promising treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
AC Immune stands to pocket an upfront payment of $100 million, with the prospect of raking in a staggering $2.1 billion more through subsequent achievements. ACI-24.060, an active immunotherapy candidate, targets toxic amyloid beta (Abeta) forms linked to Alzheimer’s disease progression.
The ongoing ABATE Phase 1b/2 trial is evaluating the safety of ACI-24.060, tolerability, and efficacy in patients with prodromal Alzheimer’s disease and adults with Down syndrome. The safety monitoring boards have raised no concerns thus far, as the trial has shown encouraging immunogenicity and safety profiles.
Terms of Agreement
As per the terms of the agreement, AC Immune will retain responsibility for completing the ABATE trial. If Takeda chooses to exercise its option, it will oversee further clinical development, regulatory activities, and global commercialization of the treatment. AC Immune will receive tiered double-digit royalties on worldwide net sales post-commercialization.
Dr. Andrea Pfeifer, CEO of AC Immune, expressed optimism about the potential partnership to expedite Phase 3 development and enhance funding for early-stage pipelines. Sarah Sheikh, Head of the Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Unit at Takeda, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the novel treatment approach’s potential benefits for the Alzheimer’s community.
This collaboration aligns with the strategic vision and developmental expertise of Tekeda in neuroscience, aiming to address the challenging landscape of neurodegenerative diseases. The agreement’s effectiveness is subject to regulatory clearances, including the expiration of waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.
The partnership with AC Immune opens a significant financial door and highlights the relentless pursuit by pharmaceutical firms to conquer the intricate problem of neurodegenerative diseases. The company expects to release the ABATE trial’s Abeta positron emission tomography (PET) imaging results in the second and fourth quarters of 2024, marking key milestones at six and 12 months.
AC Immune (NASDAQ: ACIU) Stock Reaction
ACIU stock jumped 42.86% to close at $3.30 on Monday. Its value increased by 37.50% this week. Trading activity has witnessed 32,121,116 (32.12 million) shares changing hands, well above the average daily volume of 700.87K.
