Takeda-backed AC Immune (NASDAQ: ACIU) reports ACI-24 Alzheimer’s trial update
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
AC Immune reported interim 12‑month data from the first three prodromal Alzheimer’s disease cohorts (AD1–AD3) of the Phase 1b/2 ABATE trial, covering 74 patients treated with its anti‑amyloid beta active immunotherapy ACI‑24. The therapy has been generally safe and well tolerated so far, with no amyloid‑related imaging abnormalities‑edema (ARIA‑E) observed and anti‑Abeta antibody responses detected at all dose levels with a dose response. The company is now testing an enhanced ACI‑24 formulation with an additional adjuvant in the newly initiated Cohort AD4 to further boost immunogenicity. Under its existing option and license agreement with Takeda for anti‑Abeta active immunotherapies, AC Immune received an upfront payment of $100 million and a $12 million milestone on dosing the first patients in Cohort AD4, and may earn up to approximately $2.1 billion in additional milestones plus tiered double‑digit royalties if the program advances to commercialization.
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Insights
Early ACI‑24 safety/immunogenicity data look acceptable, with Takeda-backed funding milestones supporting further development.
The interim ABATE data show ACI‑24 has been generally safe over 12 months in 74 prodromal Alzheimer’s patients, with no ARIA‑E reported. Detectable anti‑Abeta antibody responses at all dose levels, with a dose response, indicate the vaccine platform is eliciting the intended immune activity.
Management now aims to enhance immunogenicity further using an adjuvant in Cohort AD4, reflecting a focus on improving plaque removal potential. Multiple data safety monitoring board reviews have raised no safety concerns, which is important in a class historically challenged by ARIA risks.
Financially, AC Immune’s exclusive option and license agreement with Takeda provides meaningful non‑dilutive support: a $100 million upfront payment and a $12 million milestone tied to first dosing in AD4, with up to approximately $2.1 billion in additional milestones and tiered double‑digit royalties on eventual net sales. Future value will depend on longer‑term efficacy data and whether Takeda exercises its option to take over later‑stage development and commercialization.
Key Figures
Key Terms
prodromal Alzheimer’s disease medical
data safety monitoring board (DSMB) medical
upfront payment financial
development, commercial and sales-based milestones financial
tiered double-digit royalties financial
FAQ
What did AC Immune (ACIU) report from the ABATE Phase 1b/2 trial?
How many patients were included in AC Immune’s ACI-24 interim analysis for prodromal Alzheimer’s disease?
What safety profile did ACI-24 show in AC Immune’s ABATE trial update?
Why did AC Immune start Cohort AD4 in the ABATE trial?
What are the key financial terms of AC Immune’s Takeda agreement for ACI-24?
Who will lead later-stage development and commercialization of ACI-24 if Takeda exercises its option?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of June, 2026
Commission file number: 001-37891
AC IMMUNE SA
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
EPFL Innovation Park
Building B
1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
| Form 20-F | ☒ | Form 40-F | ☐ |
On June 30, 2026, AC Immune SA issued a press release announcing 12-month data from Phase 1b/2 ABATE Trial of ACI-24 in Prodromal Alzheimer’s Disease. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report on Form 6-K.
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit Number |
Description | |
| 99.1 | Press Release, dated June 30, 2026 |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| AC IMMUNE SA | ||
| By: | /s/ Martin Zügel | |
| Name: Martin Zügel | ||
| Title: Interim Chief Executive Officer | ||
| By: | /s/ Christopher Roberts | |
| Name: Christopher Roberts | ||
| Title: Chief Financial Officer | ||
| Date: June 30, 2026 | ||
Exhibit 99.1
 |
PRESS RELEASE |
AC Immune Reports Interim 12-Month Data from Phase 1b/2 ABATE Trial of ACI-24 in Prodromal Alzheimer’s Disease
| · | ACI-24 anti-Abeta active immunotherapy generally safe and well tolerated in first three Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cohorts in ABATE |
| · | Anti-Abeta antibody dose-response demonstrated with antibodies detected at all dose levels in cohorts AD1-3 |
| · | Ongoing AD4 cohort includes additional adjuvant designed to enhance ACI-24 responses |
Lausanne, Switzerland, June 30, 2026 -- AC Immune SA (NASDAQ: ACIU), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering precision therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced interim data from the first three cohorts (AD1, AD2 & AD3) of 74 patients with prodromal Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the Phase 1b/2 ABATE trial following 12 months of treatment with ACI-24 anti-amyloid beta (Abeta) active immunotherapy.
In the trial to date, ACI-24 has been generally safe and well tolerated, with no evidence of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities-edema (ARIA-E). Anti-Abeta antibody responses were detected at every dose level with a dose response.
We evaluated enhancing ACI-24 with an additional adjuvant to boost immunogenicity while the ABATE trial was ongoing. This is currently being tested in the recently initiated ABATE Cohort AD4.
Martin Zügel, MD, interim CEO of AC Immune and Chair of the Board of Directors, commented: “The nature of the antibody response observed in ABATE suggests that we should further enhance immunogenicity for more effective plaque removal. Cohort AD4 was initiated to evaluate enhancing ACI-24 with an additional adjuvant.”
About ACI-24 and the ABATE trial
ACI-24 is AC Immune’s anti-Abeta active immunotherapy candidate. ABATE is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1b/2 trial of ACI-24 in prodromal AD and in adults with Down syndrome (DS) where recruitment of participants into the third cohort, DS3, has been concluded (NCT05462106). Enrolled patients in the AD cohorts are required to have a diagnosis of prodromal AD: MCI due to AD according to the National Institute on Aging Alzheimer’s Association (NIA-AA) criteria, and a PET scan at screening must be consistent with the presence of amyloid pathology. Following multiple data safety monitoring board (DSMB) reviews, no safety concerns have been raised to date, with no evidence of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), consistent with previous results.
About the Takeda agreement
| |
PRESS RELEASE |
AC Immune has an exclusive, worldwide option and license agreement with Takeda on anti-Abeta active immunotherapies, including ACI-24. Under the terms of the agreement, AC Immune received an upfront payment of $100 million and a milestone of $12 million on dosing of the first patients in Cohort AD4. AC Immune is eligible to receive an option exercise fee and additional potential development, commercial and sales-based milestones of up to approximately $2.1 billion. Upon commercialization, AC Immune will be entitled to receive tiered double-digit royalties on worldwide net sales. AC Immune is responsible for conducting the ABATE trial. Following the potential option exercise, Takeda would conduct and fund all further clinical development and be responsible for all global regulatory activities as well as worldwide commercialization.
For further information, please contact:
| SVP, Investor
Relations & Corporate Communications Gary Waanders, Ph.D., MBA AC Immune Phone: +41 21 345 91 91 Email: gary.waanders@acimmune.com |
International
Media Chris Maggos Cohesion Bureau Phone: +41 79 367 6254 Email: aciu@cohesionbureau.com |
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 pipeline of first- and best-in-class assets, which currently features a range of therapeutic and diagnostic programs, including candidates in Phase 2 and Phase 3 development. 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 CA, CN, CH, EU, GB, JP, KR, NO, RU and SG.
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.
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.