AC Immune Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides a Corporate Update
ACI-7104.056 VacSYn Phase 2 trial in Parkinson’s disease (PD) on track to report interim safety and immunogenicity data
Prescreening rate for Phase 2b Retain trial of JNJ-2056 (ACI-35.030) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) triggered CHF 24.6 million milestone under agreement
JNJ-2056 received Fast Track designation from the U.S. FDA
Cash of CHF 157.9 million at the end of September, plus the CHF 24.6 million milestone payment received in October, provides runway into 2027
Lausanne, Switzerland, November 5, 2024 – AC Immune SA (NASDAQ: ACIU), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering precision therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, today reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and provided a corporate update.
Dr. Andrea Pfeifer, CEO of AC Immune SA, commented, “AC Immune has continued to make great strides in our pipeline programs and partnerships throughout the third quarter and recent months. We are particularly excited about the recognition received for ACI-35.030 from both our partner Janssen, in the form of a CHF 24.6 million milestone payment, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in the form of Fast Track designation for JNJ-2056, and that the first patient has been dosed in the Retain trial. 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. We are eagerly anticipating reporting in the coming weeks the interim safety and immunogenicity data from the Phase 2 VacSYn study of ACI-7104.056 for the treatment of early PD, as we move towards establishing clinical proof of concept with this active immunotherapy. Overall, this quarter has seen important incremental progress towards our overarching goal of shifting the treatment paradigm of neurodegenerative diseases towards precision medicine and disease prevention. We are now looking forward to a number of potentially transformational value inflection points in the future.”
Anticipated 2024 Milestones
ACI-24.060 anti-Abeta active immunotherapy
ABATE Phase 2 trial in AD remains on track with enrollment expectations
ACI-7104.056 anti-a-syn active immunotherapy
On track to report interim safety and immunogenicity from VacSYn Phase 2 trial by year end 2024
TDP-43-PET tracer
Phase 1 initiation expected by year end 2024
ACI-15916
a-syn-PET tracer
IND-enabling studies in PD expected to be completed by year end 2024
Q3 2024 and Subsequent Highlights
The Phase 2 VacSYn clinical trial of ACI-7104.056 in PD is progressing well with over 30 patients randomized in Part 1 of the study. We are on track to report the first interim safety and immunogenicity data from the trial.
AC Immune achieved the second Retain-related milestone payment (CHF 24.6 million) under its agreement with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Janssen), a Johnson & Johnson company. The payment was triggered by the rapid rate of prescreening in the potentially registrational Phase 2b Retain trial investigating active-immunotherapy candidate ACI-35.030 (JNJ-2056) to treat preclinical (pre-symptomatic) AD. ACI-35.030 has been shown in Phase 1b/2a clinical testing to induce an antibody response targeting pathologic phosphorylated Tau, while sparing normal physiologic forms of Tau.
Retain-related milestone payments now total CHF 40 million, including the first milestone payment earned in December 2023.
JNJ-2056 received Fast Track designation from the FDA for AD in July 2024.
AC Immune’s partner Life Molecular Imaging (LMI) received Fast Track Designation for the partners’ Tau positron emission tomography (PET) diagnostic, [18F]PI-2620, from the FDA in AD, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and corticobasal degeneration (CBD).
PI-2620 has demonstrated robust brain uptake and fast wash-out in non-target regions, a broad imaging window between 30- and 90-minutes post-injection for AD, and excellent reproducibility between test and retest scans.
AC Immune’s preclinical results were featured in multiple presentations at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2024:
A new class of neurodegenerative disease-fighting drugs: morADC (Morphomer®-antibody drug conjugates), presented by M. Derouazi, PhD (CSO of ACIU), featured data from the proprietary morADC platform. Results demonstrated the ability of morADCs to penetrate the blood brain barrier in vivo and produce potent catalytic activity in vitro compared to the parental monoclonal antibody or small molecule alone.
Active immunotherapy, ACI-24.060, induces anti-Abeta antibodies with binding profiles mirroring clinically validated monoclonal antibodies, presented by E. Fiorini, PhD (ACIU), featured results from non-human primates showing that ACI-24.060 induced antibody responses with preferential oligomeric Abeta binding as compared to monomeric Abeta.
Discovery and preclinical development of [18F]ACI-19626, a first-in-class TDP-43 PET tracer, presented by T. Seredenina, PhD (ACIU), described the selection of [18F]ACI-19626 as a potential PET tracer for detection and monitoring progression of TDP-43 aggregates.
Analysis of Financial Statements for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2024
Cash Position: The Company had a total cash balance of CHF 157.9 million (CHF 103.1 million as of December 31, 2023), composed of CHF 32.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and CHF 125.5 million in short-term financial assets. The Company’s cash balance plus the second Retain-related milestone payment of CHF 24.6 million, received in October 2024, provides sufficient capital resources into 2027, assuming no other milestones.
Contract Revenues: The Company recorded CHF 25.5 million in contract revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to nil in the comparable prior period. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, our contract revenues of CHF 25.5 million were related to:
the recognition of the second Retain-related milestone payment of CHF 24.6 million under the agreement with Janssen. This milestone payment was triggered by the rapid rate of prescreening in the potentially registrational Phase 2b Retain trial investigating active-immunotherapy candidate ACI-35.030 to treat preclinical AD; and
the efforts made under the agreement with Takeda.
R&D Expenditures: R&D expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024, were CHF 14.5 million compared to CHF 12.4 million in the comparable period in 2023. The increase was due mainly to higher clinical expenses, driven by the expansion of the ABATE study in our ACI-24.060 active immunotherapy.
G&A Expenditures: For the three months ended September 30, 2024, G&A increased by CHF 0.3 million to CHF 3.8 million, mostly due to an increase in salaries and related costs, primarily due to new hires and higher expenses from equity awards granted in 2024, which have a higher fair value.
Other Operating Income: The Company recognized less than CHF 0.1 million in grant income from Target ALS grants.
IFRS Income/Loss for the Period: The Company reported a net income after taxes of CHF 5.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared with a net loss of CHF 15.1 million for the comparable period in 2023.
About AC Immune SA AC Immune SA is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company and a global leader in precision prevention for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and NeuroOrphan indications driven by misfolded proteins. The Company’s two clinically validated technology platforms, SupraAntigen® and Morphomer®, fuel its broad and diversified pipeline of first- and best-in-class assets, which currently features sixteen therapeutic and diagnostic programs, including five in Phase 2 development and one in Phase 3. AC Immune has a strong track record of securing strategic partnerships with leading global pharmaceutical companies, resulting in substantial non-dilutive funding to advance its proprietary programs and >$4.5 billion in potential milestone payments plus royalties.
SupraAntigen® is a registered trademark of AC Immune SA in the following territories: AU, EU, CH, GB, JP, RU, SG and USA. Morphomer® is a registered trademark of AC Immune SA in CN, CH, GB, JP, KR, NO and RU.
The information on our website and any other websites referenced herein is expressly not incorporated by reference into, and does not constitute a part of, this press release.
For further information, please contact:
AC Immune Gary Waanders, Ph.D., MBA Senior Vice President Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Forward looking statements This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical fact and may include statements that address future operating, financial or business performance or AC Immune’s strategies or expectations. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “potential,” “outlook” or “continue,” and other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. These risks and uncertainties include those described under the captions “Item 3. Key Information – Risk Factors” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in AC Immune’s Annual Report on Form 20-F and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and AC Immune does not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable law. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(In CHF thousands)
As of
September 30,
December 31,
2024
2023
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
2,736
3,376
Right-of-use assets
3,091
3,508
Intangible asset
50,416
50,416
Long-term financial assets
415
361
Total non-current assets
56,658
57,661
Current assets
Prepaid expenses
3,446
6,437
Accrued income
780
246
Other current receivables
869
622
Accounts receivable
24,600
14,800
Short-term financial assets
125,478
24,554
Cash and cash equivalents
32,417
78,494
Total current assets
187,590
125,153
Total assets
244,248
182,814
Shareholders' equity and liabilities
Shareholders’ equity
Share capital
2,218
2,089
Share premium
477,126
474,907
Treasury shares
(218)
(105)
Currency translation differences
(24)
(51)
Accumulated losses
(348,937)
(316,197)
Total shareholders’ equity
130,165
160,643
Non-current liabilities
Long-term deferred contract revenue
4,790
—
Long-term lease liabilities
2,389
2,825
Net employee defined benefit liabilities
5,917
5,770
Total non-current liabilities
13,096
8,595
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
1,416
1,679
Accrued expenses
12,899
11,087
Short-term deferred income
16
138
Short-term deferred contract revenue
85,962
—
Short-term lease liabilities
694
672
Total current liabilities
100,987
13,576
Total liabilities
114,083
22,171
Total shareholders’ equity and liabilities
244,248
182,814
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss) (Unaudited)
(In CHF thousands, except for per-share data)
For the Three Months
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Revenue
Contract revenues
25,485
—
26,172
—
Total revenue
25,485
—
26,172
—
Operating expenses
Research & development expenses
(14,482)
(12,407)
(46,785)
(39,962)
General & administrative expenses
(3,753)
(3,465)
(13,275)
(11,252)
Other operating income/(expense), net
19
406
128
1,131
Total operating expenses
(18,216)
(15,466)
(59,932)
(50,083)
Operating income/(loss)
7,269
(15,466)
(33,760)
(50,083)
Financial income
939
285
2,307
753
Financial expense
(33)
(26)
(103)
(150)
Exchange differences
(2,672)
67
(3,563)
—
Finance result, net
(1,766)
326
(1,359)
603
Income/(loss) before tax
5,503
(15,140)
(35,119)
(49,480)
Income tax expense
—
(3)
—
(9)
Income/(loss) for the period
5,503
(15,143)
(35,119)
(49,489)
Earnings/(loss) per share:
Basic income/(loss) for the period attributable to equity holders
0.06
(0.18)
(0.35)
(0.59)
Diluted income/(loss) for the period attributable to equity holders
0.05
(0.18)
(0.35)
(0.59)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Unaudited) (In CHF thousands)
For the Three Months
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Income/(loss) for the period
5,503
(15,143)
(35,119)
(49,489)
Items that will be reclassified to income or loss in subsequent periods (net of tax):
Currency translation differences
11
11
27
(5)
Items that will not to be reclassified to income or loss in subsequent periods (net of tax):
