AC Immune SA and Eli Lilly and Company have officially amended their 2018 licensing and collaboration agreement to advance the research and development of small molecule Tau aggregation inhibitors. This collaboration targets potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Key highlights of the amended agreement include:
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Expansion of Research Scope: The amendment extends the ongoing collaboration to cover the development of new lead Tau Morphomer candidates and potential back-up compounds. The focus remains on disruptive small molecule therapeutics designed for intracellular targeting of Tau.
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Financial Structure: AC Immune will receive an upfront payment of CHF10 million, with a subsequent milestone payment triggered upon Phase 1 dosing. The company remains eligible for further development, regulatory, and commercial milestones exceeding CHF1.7 billion, in addition to previously disclosed royalty payments.
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Development Timeline: IND-enabling studies (Investigational New Drug) are scheduled to commence in the first half of 2026.
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Technological Advantages: Morphomer Tau candidates were selected for their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier via oral administration and their specific binding to pathological Tau protein conformations. Preclinical data suggest these molecules are highly effective in inhibiting Tau aggregation and seeding across various disease stages.
Leadership at AC Immune highlighted that growing scientific evidence supports targeting intracellular Tau as a viable method to slow or halt disease pathology. This continued alliance with Eli Lilly aims to drive forward next-generation biologics for early-stage treatment and long-term prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.
Source: https://www.contractpharma.com/breaking-news/ac-immune-lilly-amend-morphomer-tau-alliance/