AC Immune Reports Full Year 2020 Financial Results And Provides 2021 R D Outlook

• Anti-pTau Alzheimer’s vaccine delivers potent immunogenicity in ongoing Phase 1b/2a study, supporting further development into Phase 2/3

• Anti-Abeta Alzheimer’s vaccine advancing based on Phase 1b safety and immunogenicity results in Down syndrome; further interim results expected in Q2 for Phase 2 in Alzheimer’s disease

• Morphomer™ Tau aggregation inhibitor achieves target brain exposure in Phase 1; program advancing in NeuroOrphan indications and Alzheimer’s disease

• First-in-class alpha-synuclein PET diagnostic to report clinical results in Q3 2021

• Advancing multiple candidates targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway for CNS and non-CNS indications

• Ongoing strong financial position of CHF 225.9 million in cash ensures the Company is fully financed through Q1 2024, excluding potential incoming milestones

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, March 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AC Immune SA (NASDAQ: ACIU), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering precision medicine for neurodegenerative diseases, today reported its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company also provided an overview of its execution strategy and anticipated clinical and preclinical milestones for 2021, as well as the strong progress being made across its broad portfolio of therapeutic and diagnostic product candidates.

Prof. Andrea Pfeifer, CEO of AC Immune SA, commented:“We began 2021 with strong momentum based on the effective execution of our multi-pronged clinical development growth strategy. This is exemplified by our anti-pTau vaccine, which recently demonstrated highly potent immune responses against pathological Tau and remarkable safety in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We are also creating future value by accelerating development of our proprietary, first-in-class candidates addressing novel targets in neurodegeneration, such as our promising alpha-synuclein PET tracer, which will generate initial clinical results this year, and our highly valued programs targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome. Our strong track record shows that expanding our efforts to advance these key early-stage programs may lead to multiple future opportunities for strategic partnership as well as in-house clinical development for select indications. In parallel, we continue to collaborate with our global partners to advance our later-stage clinical programs toward key inflection points. Looking forward in 2021, we expect to build upon our successes and continue innovating as a leader in precision medicine for neurodegenerative disease.”

• Reportedpromising interim Phase 1b/2a resultsfor ACI-35.030, a novel anti-phospho-Tau (pTau) vaccine candidate showing strong safety and high titers of antigen-specific antibodies in 100% of older patients with early AD. The study is currently enrolling patients into the highest dose group, with further clinical readouts expected this year.

• Advanced next-generation alpha-synuclein positron emission tomography (PET) tracer candidate, ACI-12589, into afirst-in-human clinical study, with an expected data readout in Q3 2021

• Reported toplinePhase 2 resultsfor semorinemab, the Company’s investigational monoclonal anti-Tau antibody candidate for the treatment of prodromal to mild AD, partnered with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. These represent the first-ever Phase 2 results for an anti-Tau antibody therapeutic in AD. Primary completion of the second Phase 2 study in moderate AD patients is expected in Q2 2021.

• Completed a Phase 1 clinical studyin healthy volunteers for ACI-3024, an oral small molecule Morphomer™ Tau aggregation inhibitor, which achieved target brain exposure. The Companies have decided to pursue other promising Tau Morphomer candidates from AC Immune’s research platform for potential clinical development in AD. ACI-3024 will be further evaluated for efficacy in models of rare Tauopathies.

Partnership milestone payments and grants

• Received aCHF 10 million milestone paymentfrom Eli Lilly and Company related to ACI-3024

• Amended the collaboration agreement with Lilly for Tau Morphomers to includea new CHF 60 million Phase 2 milestone payment, which increased the total potential deal value by CHF 40 million to CHF 1.86 billion

• Received multiple prestigious and highly competitive grants in 2020 focused on acceleration of the Company’s proprietary and potentially game-changing diagnostic programsWonKen Griffin Alpha-synuclein Imaging Competitionfrom The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) and is able to receive together with its clinical partner USD 3.2 million (CHF 3.1 million) to support AC Immune’s alpha-synuclein-PET tracersAwarded a EUR 1.45 milliongrantto support the partnership between AC Immune and the EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) ImageTDP-43 Consortium to advance its first-in-class TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) PET tracersAwarded a USD 600,000grantfrom Target ALS to develop novel immuno-assays to detect pathological TDP-43 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood based on AC Immune’s SupraAntigen™-derived anti-TDP-43 antibodies

• WonKen Griffin Alpha-synuclein Imaging Competitionfrom The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) and is able to receive together with its clinical partner USD 3.2 million (CHF 3.1 million) to support AC Immune’s alpha-synuclein-PET tracers

• Awarded a EUR 1.45 milliongrantto support the partnership between AC Immune and the EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) ImageTDP-43 Consortium to advance its first-in-class TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) PET tracers

• Awarded a USD 600,000grantfrom Target ALS to develop novel immuno-assays to detect pathological TDP-43 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood based on AC Immune’s SupraAntigen™-derived anti-TDP-43 antibodies

Strengthening of Management and Board

• AppointedProf. Johannes R. Streffer, former UCB Biopharma Head of Translational Neuroscience, to the new role of Chief Medical Officer

• WelcomedProf. Carl H. June, world authority on immune tolerance and adoptive immunotherapy, to the Company’s Board of Directors

• Appointed renowned Neurologist with a specific focus in the emerging field of Down syndrome (DS)-related Alzheimer’s disease,Dr. Juan Forteato AC Immune’s Clinical Advisory Board

Future Value Creation

• Reported key advancements for severaltherapeutic programs targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome, including small molecule inhibitors, which showed the first evidence ofin vivoactivity in a model of peripheral inflammation, as well as high-affinity monoclonal antibodies that bind extracellular components of the (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway and inhibit inflammasome-mediated immune responsein vitro

• Identified and characterized the first biologically active small molecule Morphomeralpha-synuclein aggregation inhibitors, which significantly decreased alpha-synuclein aggregate formation in cellular assays by interfering with the fibrillation process

• Strengthened strategicpartnership with WuXi Biologicsto accelerate advancement of TDP-43 antibody into clinical development for NeuroOrphan indications

AC Immune’s execution strategy is focused on three key initiatives, which support the Company’s overarching goal of enabling precision medicine for neurodegenerative diseases:

• The Company plans to accelerate the development of its late-stage therapies in AD in collaboration with its strategic partners, including its novel pTau vaccine with Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., which continues to show great promise.

• AC Immune is sharpening its strategic focus on non-AD indications with high unmet need. Currently this includes its anti-Abeta vaccine in people with DS, as well as its therapeutic and diagnostic candidates targeting TDP-43 and alpha-synuclein, where the Company may focus in-house efforts on select NeuroOrphan indications while seeking potential partnerships for larger indications like LATE (limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Furthermore, AC Immune’s NLRP3 inflammasome-targeted programs have broad applicability both within central nervous system (CNS) and non-CNS indications.

• The Company plans to accelerate advancement of its diagnostic candidates to late-stage development, as continued leadership in precision medicine is a key differentiator for AC Immune. These candidates include its Tau, alpha-synuclein, and TDP-43 PET tracers, which potentially enable earlier disease diagnosis, improved clinical trial outcomes and additional revenue generation for the Company.

• ACI-35.030 anti-pTau vaccine: reported Phase 1b/2a in AD interim results in Q1 (second highest dose); further Phase 1b/2a interim analysis in Q4 (highest dose)

• JACI-35.054 alternative anti-pTau vaccine: Phase 1b/2a in AD interim analysis in Q2 (low dose)

• Alpha-synuclein imaging agent: advanced third-generation candidate to first-in-human clinical study in Q1; readout expected in Q3

• ACI-24 anti-Abeta vaccine in DS: reported Phase 1b top line results in Q1; to present further study results at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference®2021 in Q2

• ACI-24 in AD: reported Phase 2, 12-month interim analysis in Q1; 18-month interim analysis in Q2

• Semorinemab anti-Tau antibody: Phase 2 trial primary completion (estimated last patient, last visit) in moderate AD in Q2

• ACI-3024 small molecule Morphomer Tau aggregation inhibitor: select NeuroOrphan indication for further development in Q2

• ACI-24 in DS: submit investigational new drug (IND) application for optimized vaccine formulation in Q4

Preclinical Milestones

• Alpha-synuclein small molecule inhibitor: identified first biologically active small molecule in Q1; startin vivoproof-of-concept studies in Q3

• TDP-43 imaging agent: initiate investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies in Q3

• Morphomer NLRP3-ASC: reportin vivoproof-of-concept results in a non-CNS disease model and beginin vivoproof-of-concept studies with validated candidate in CNS in Q4

• Anti NLRP3-ASC antibody: beginin vivoproof-of-concept studies in Q4

• Anti-TDP-43 antibody: initiate IND-enabling toxicology studies in Q4

• TDP-43 biofluid diagnostic: establish validation-ready assay in Q4

AC Immune also provided a comprehensive overview highlighting strong progress across its clinical and preclinical development pipeline. Thissupplemental materialcan be viewed and downloaded in the investor section of the Company’s website.

• Cash Position:The Company had a total cash balance of CHF 225.9 million, comprised of CHF 160.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and CHF 65 million in short-term financial assets. This compares to a total cash balance of CHF 288.6 million as of December 31, 2019. The decrease of CHF 62.7 million is principally due to continued investments in our R&D pipeline. The total shareholders’ equity position decreased to CHF 215.5 million from CHF 272.4 million as of the prior year. The Company’s cash balance provides enough capital resources to progress through at least Q1 2024 without potential incoming milestone payments.

• Contract Revenues:Contract revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020 totaled CHF 15.4 million compared to CHF 110.5 million in 2019, representing a CHF 95 million decrease. The Company recognized a CHF 10 million milestone and CHF 4.3 million for research and development activities in 2020 from its Lilly agreement compared to CHF 103.1 million for an upfront payment and milestone and CHF 2.6 million for research and development activities in 2019.

• R&D Expenditures:R&D expenses increased by CHF 9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.Discovery and preclinical expenses:The Company increased expenditures across a variety of its discovery and preclinical programs. These include investments to advance the second generation of our ACI-24 for Down Syndrome project, the initiation of IND-enabling studies of our anti-TDP-43 antibody project and various other investments across our alpha-synuclein and neuroinflammation programs.Clinical expenses:The Company also increased expenditures across multiple Clinical programs. These include investments to prepare a follow-on trial for our Abeta vaccine for Down Syndrome project, additional enrollment costs for the Phase 1b/2a study for ACI-35.030 and a full year of clinical activities to complete the Phase 1 of our Morphomer Tau asset in partnership with Lilly.Salary- and benefit-related costs:The Company’s salary- and benefit-related costs increased by CHF 2.7 million, primarily due to the addition of 13 FTEs, annualization of 2019 hires and increases in share-based compensation.

• G&A Expenditures:For the year ended December 31, 2020, G&A increased by CHF 2.5 million to 18.6 million. Of this increase, CHF 1.7 million is due to salary- and benefit-related costs, primarily due to the addition of 3 FTEs, annualization of 2019 hires and increases in share-based compensation. Additionally, the Company incurred a CHF 0.8 million increase in other G&A expenses, predominantly associated with depreciation expense, insurance and professional fees

• IFRS Income/(Loss) for the Period:The Company reported a net loss after taxes of CHF 61.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared with net income of CHF 45.4 million for 2019

• Discovery and preclinical expenses:The Company increased expenditures across a variety of its discovery and preclinical programs. These include investments to advance the second generation of our ACI-24 for Down Syndrome project, the initiation of IND-enabling studies of our anti-TDP-43 antibody project and various other investments across our alpha-synuclein and neuroinflammation programs.

• Clinical expenses:The Company also increased expenditures across multiple Clinical programs. These include investments to prepare a follow-on trial for our Abeta vaccine for Down Syndrome project, additional enrollment costs for the Phase 1b/2a study for ACI-35.030 and a full year of clinical activities to complete the Phase 1 of our Morphomer Tau asset in partnership with Lilly.

• Salary- and benefit-related costs:The Company’s salary- and benefit-related costs increased by CHF 2.7 million, primarily due to the addition of 13 FTEs, annualization of 2019 hires and increases in share-based compensation.

For the full year 2021, the Company expects its total cash burn to range between CHF 65 million ‒75 million.

About AC Immune SAAC Immune SA is clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that aims to become a global leader in precision medicine 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, SupraAntigenTMand MorphomerTM, fuel its broad and diversified pipeline of first- and best-in-class assets, which currently features nine therapeutic and three diagnostic candidates, six of which are currently in clinical trials. AC Immune has a strong track record of securing strategic partnerships with leading global pharmaceutical companies including Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Eli Lilly and Company, and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., resulting in substantial non-dilutive funding to advance its proprietary programs and >$3 billion in potential milestone payments.

Forward looking statementsThis 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. These include: the impact of Covid-19 on our business, suppliers, patients and employees and any other impact of Covid-19. 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.

1Reflects non-cash expenses associated with share-based compensation for equity awards issued to directors, management and employees of the Company. This expense reflects the awards’ fair value recognized for the portion of the equity award which is vesting over the period.

2Reflects foreign currency re-measurement gains and losses for the period, predominantly impacted by the change in the exchange rate between the US Dollar and the Swiss Franc.

3Effective interest expense for the period relates to the accretion of the Company’s convertible loan in accordance with the effective interest method.

4Change in fair value of conversion feature that is bifurcated from the convertible loan host debt with Lilly.

Adjustments for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 decreased net loss by CHF 4.8 million, increased net income by CHF 0.5 million and decreased net loss by CHF 3.7 million, respectively. The Company recorded share-based compensation expenses of CHF 4.1 million, CHF 2.8 million and CHF 2.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. There were foreign currency re-measurement losses of CHF 0.7 million, CHF 0.8 million and CHF 1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, predominantly related to the cash balance of the Company as a result of fluctuations of the US Dollar against the Swiss Franc. Related to the Company’s convertible note settled with Lilly in 2019, we recorded CHF 1.4 million for amortization of effective interest for the year ended December 31, 2019 and recognized a CHF 4.5 million gain for the change in fair value of the liability related to the conversion feature in 2019. There were no comparable expenses or gains in 2020 nor 2018.