Takeda announced in May 2024 that it has entered an exclusive, worldwide option and license agreement with AC Immune for the latter’s active immunotherapies targeting toxic forms of amyloid beta (Abeta). This includes the vaccine ACI-24.060, which targets Alzheimer’s disease. It is being investigated in the ABATE trial to assess its safety, tolerability, immunogenicity, and pharmacodynamic effects in subjects with prodromal Alzheimer’s disease and adults with Down syndrome.
Under the terms of the agreement, AC Immune will receive an upfront payment of ¢100 million and be eligible for an option exercise fee and additional potential development, commercial, and sales-based milestones of up to around $2.1 billion, if “all related milestones are achieved” during the agreement.
ACI-24.060
ACI-24.060 is an anti-Abeta active immunotherapy candidate that is intended to trigger a “robust” antibody response against the toxic forms of Abeta that are understood to drive plaque formation and Alzheimer’s disease progression. It has the potential to “delay or slow” disease progression by “inducing plaque clearance and efficiently inhibiting plaque formation” in the brain. Preclinical results suggest that immunisation with ACI-24.060 should produce a “broad immune response”.
Changing the paradigm
Dr Andrea Pfeifer, CEO of AC Immune, described the team as “pioneers in the field of active immunotherapy”, and hopes that this could “change the treatment paradigm” for Alzheimer’s disease, addressing the “multifaceted burden that patients and the broader community face”. Dr Pfeifer suggests that the “maximum impact” of ACI-24.060 can be realised through this partnership at a “critical juncture”.
“This agreement allows us to leverage the developmental expertise, strategic vision, and financial capacity of an accomplished organisation that has demonstrated its ability to execute the type of comprehensive global programme required for Phase III trials in Alzheimer’s disease.”
AC Immune is responsible for completing the ABATE trial and Takeda will conduct and fund further clinical development and be responsible for all global regulatory activities and worldwide commercialisation after option exercise.
Sarah Sheik, Head, Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Unit and Head, Global Development at Takeda, is “committed to tackling some of society’s most debilitating illnesses” and is “excited to partner with AC Immune on this ground-breaking treatment approach”. It “leverages novel technology with the potential to offer patients a treatment with differentiated efficacy, safety, and ease of administration”.
“Combining AC Immune’s deep experience with active immunotherapy approaches with Takeda’s expertise in neuroscience drug development and commercialisation, we have an incredible opportunity to deliver real impact to the Alzheimer’s community.”
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