Second collaboration in Alzheimer's disease for Genentech and AC Immune

Switzerland-based biopharma company AC Immune said this morning that it has entered into a second exclusive worldwide license agreement and research collaboration with Roche’s (ROG: SIX) subsidiary Genentech for the research, development and commercialization of AC Immune’s anti-Tau antibodies for the potential treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, worth a potential $418 million to the company.

Under the terms of the new deal, AC Immune will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible to receive research, development and commercialization milestone payments totaling more than 400 million Swiss francs (about $418 million). Additionally, AC Immune is eligible to receive royalties on net sales of products resulting from the collaboration. Under the multi-year joint research collaboration, AC Immune will work in partnership with Genentech to identify and formulate several preclinical candidates. Genentech will have global responsibility for preclinical and clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of antibodies resulting from the collaboration.

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