At AC Immune, we seek to partner our product candidates at the right times, opportunistically capturing optimal value for our shareholders while balancing risk. Our partnering strategy:
Going forward we intend to maintain leadership until late stage in order to maximize our value creation potential.
Our 2019 Tau Morphomer® partnership with Lilly is an excellent illustration of this strategy in action.
Indeed, our partnering track record with some of our most advanced first- and best-in-class product-candidates is exceptional for the high quality of our validating partners as well as the large amount of funds generated to date. Endorsement from these industry leaders underscores our scientific excellence and provides external validation for our proprietary technology platforms.
In December 2018, AC Immune and Eli Lilly and Company signed a license and collaboration agreement to research and develop Morphomer® Tau small molecule aggregation inhibitors, for the potential treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. The collaboration combines AC Immune’s proprietary Morphomer® platform technology with Lilly’s clinical development expertise and commercial capabilities in central nervous system disorders. Under the agreement, AC Immune may become eligible to receive payments totaling up to approximately CHF 1.9 billion, plus royalties.
In December 2014, AC Immune entered into a worldwide exclusive license agreement and research collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., to develop and commercialize therapeutic vaccines targeting phosphorylated Tau, for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and potentially other Tauopathies. The value of this partnership is potentially up to CHF 500 million, plus royalties.
In May 2014, AC Immune signed its first diagnostic partnership, with Life Molecular Imaging SA (formerly Piramal Imaging SA). This exclusive worldwide out-licensing agreement for a Tau protein Positron Emission Tomography (PET) tracer PI-2620 supporting the early diagnosis and clinical management of Alzheimer’s disease and other Tau-related disorders, such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). The agreement includes upfront and sales milestone payments totaling up to EUR 160 million, plus royalties.
In January 2025, Lantheus Holdings announced the acquisition of Life Molecular Imaging Ltd., which was completed in August 2025.
In May 2024, AC Immune and Takeda signed an exclusive, worldwide option and license agreement for AC Immune’s active immunotherapies targeting toxic forms of amyloid beta (Abeta), including ACI-24.060 for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Under the terms of the agreement, AC Immune receives an upfront payment of $100 million and is eligible to receive an option exercise fee and additional potential development, commercial and sales-based milestones of up to approximately $2.1 billion if all related milestones are achieved over the course of the agreement. Upon commercialization, AC Immune will be entitled to receive tiered double-digit royalties on worldwide net sales.