AC Immune out-licenses anti-Tau vaccine to Janssen in up to $509 million deal

Switzerland’s biopharma company AC Immune has entered into a worldwide exclusive license agreement and research collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a unit of US health care giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) to develop and commercialize therapeutic anti-Tau vaccines for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and potentially other tauopathies.

Affiliate Janssen Research & Development will further develop the lead therapeutic vaccine, ACI-35, that is currently in a Phase Ib clinical trial in Alzheimer’s patients. ACI-35 is an active therapeutic vaccine stimulating the patient's immune system to produce a polyclonal antibody response against phosphorylated Tau protein.

Under the terms of the agreement, AC Immune will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible to receive research, development and commercialization milestone payments potentially totaling up to $509 million (500 million Swiss francs) for Alzheimer´s disease and a potential second indication outside of Alzheimer´s disease. Additionally, the company is eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales for any approved products resulting from the collaboration.