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AC Immune Sharpens Pipeline Focus with Operational Efficiencies Extending Cash Runway

Key Takeaway: AC Immune SA is refining its focus on key assets in neurodegenerative disease therapies, including immunotherapy programs and small molecule targets. The company plans to reduce its workforce by 30% while extending its cash runway to Q3 2027. CEO Dr. Andrea Pfeifer emphasized the progress made with product candidates and ongoing collaborations with major pharmaceutical partners.
Price reaction · baseline $2.26 (2025-09-03 close) · hit pre-market · clean, no other ACIU news in the window
day 0 close · peak
-4.9%

Market Sentiment Analysis

POSITIVE FACTORS

  • AC Immune is focusing on its most promising assets.
  • The company is extending its cash runway to Q3 2027.
  • CEO highlights meaningful progress in product candidates.

CONCERNS & RISKS

  • The workforce reduction of around 30% may impact employee morale.
  • The strategic review indicates previous inefficiencies.

BiopharmaWatch Analysis

From our catalyst data and publicly available data · not financial advice
Best trade, last catalyst
+37%
120-day peak, hindsight
Typical move
6.6%
average across 8 past catalysts
Lead asset
ACI-7104.056 at Dose A
Phase 2 · Parkinson Disease

Full Press Release Details

AC Immune Sharpens Pipeline Focus with Operational Efficiencies Extending Cash Runway

Lausanne, Switzerland, September 4th, 2025 --AC Immune SA (NASDAQ: ACIU), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering precision therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, today announces that following a strategic review by executive management, the Company is sharpening its focused investment on its most important assets. These include its three clinical-stage active immunotherapy programs, two of which are in ongoing pharma collaborations, and its most promising small molecule programs targeting NLRP3 and Tau. As a result, the Company will reduce its workforce by around 30% and extend its cash for operations to the end of Q3 2027.
Dr. Andrea Pfeifer, CEO of AC Immune SA, commented:“We are making meaningful progress with our product candidates to treat and prevent neurodegenerative diseases and are eagerly approaching multiple potentially transformational milestones over the next two years. This is true both in our ongoing collaborations with Janssen, Takeda and Lilly, and in our wholly-owned programs where progress will further strengthen opportunities for more partnering.
The actions we are taking now extend our cash runway to the end of Q3 2027, excluding anticipated business development milestone payments from existing or potential new business deals. It has been a challenging and carefully considered decision and I want to recognize all our colleagues whose professionalism, expertise and passion have resulted in many invaluable contributions to our mission over the years.
Going forward, we will focus our resources on our Phase 2 active immunotherapies and the development of our most exciting novel therapeutics targeting intracellular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, including NLRP3 and Tau.”
AC Immune maintains its guidance on previously announced timelines with interim clinical data from both ACI-7104.056 and ACI-24.060 expected in H2 2025 and H1 2026, respectively.
In accordance with Swiss employment law a consultation process with employees has been initiated. Upon completion of the consultation process, the Company will offer affected employees support. This will include, but will not be limited to, severance packages, and support in seeking new employment, coaching or training opportunities. AC Immune foresees the full implementation of these changes enacted by the end of 2025 and the reduction of costs to become fully effective early in 2026.

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 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 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.
SVP, Investor Relations & Corporate CommunicationsGary Waanders, Ph.D., MBAAC ImmunePhone: +41 21 345 91 91Email:gary.waanders@acimmune.com
International MediaChris MaggosCohesion BureauPhone: +41 79 367 6254Email:aciu@cohesionbureau.com

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AC Immune's new focus?

AC Immune is sharpening its focus on key assets, particularly in immunotherapy and small molecules.

How much is AC Immune reducing its workforce?

The company plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 30%.

What is the extended cash runway for AC Immune?

AC Immune has extended its cash runway to the end of Q3 2027.

What are the expected timelines for clinical data?

Interim clinical data for ACI-7104.056 and ACI-24.060 is expected in H2 2025 and H1 2026, respectively.

Last updated: Sep 4, 2025