AC Immune Reports Full Year 2024 Financial Results and Provides a Corporate Update

Core Insights - AC Immune SA reported significant advancements in its pipeline for neurodegenerative diseases, including a landmark deal with Takeda worth up to $2.1 billion, which includes a$100 million upfront payment [3][5][6] - The company achieved encouraging clinical data from its active immunotherapy programs, particularly ACI-7104.056 and ACI-24.060, and received U.S. FDA Fast Track designation for ACI-35.030 [3][5][6] - Financial results showed an increase in contract revenues to CHF 27.3 million for 2024, up from CHF 14.8 million in 2023, and a cash position of CHF 165.5 million, providing funding into Q1 2027 [14][26] Financial Performance - Total cash resources increased to CHF 165.5 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to CHF 103.1 million in 2023, ensuring operational funding into Q1 2027 [14][26] - Contract revenues for 2024 were CHF 27.3 million, significantly higher than CHF 14.8 million in the previous year, driven by milestone payments from partnerships with Janssen and Takeda [14][26] - The company reported a net loss of CHF 50.9 million for 2024, an improvement from a net loss of CHF 54.2 million in 2023 [14][26] Pipeline and Clinical Developments - ACI-24.060's ABATE Phase 1b/2 trial showed positive interim safety and tolerability data, with further results expected in 2025 [5][6] - ACI-35.030 (JNJ-2056) received U.S. FDA Fast Track designation, and the second milestone payment of CHF 24.6 million was triggered by rapid prescreening rates in the ReTain trial [11][14] - ACI-7104.056 demonstrated positive interim results in the VacSYn Phase 2 trial for Parkinson's disease, with further results anticipated in H1 2025 [5][11] Strategic Partnerships - The exclusive option and license agreement with Takeda for ACI-24.060 includes potential milestone payments of up to approximately $2.1 billion and tiered royalties on sales upon commercialization [5][6] - The partnership with Janssen resulted in a CHF 24.6 million milestone payment, reflecting the rapid progress in the ReTain trial for ACI-35.030 [11][14] Research and Development - R&D expenditures increased to CHF 62.6 million in 2024, primarily due to heightened clinical activities in ongoing trials [14][26] - The company is advancing multiple early-stage assets, including small molecule candidates targeting NLRP3 and Tau, with lead candidates expected to be selected in 2025 [3][14] Future Outlook - The company anticipates significant milestones in 2025, including interim results from the ABATE trial and further developments in its small molecule programs [13][14] - Total cash expenditure for 2025 is expected to be in the range of CHF 75–85 million, reflecting ongoing investment in clinical development [16]