AC Immune SA, a Swiss-based, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a broad pipeline focused on neurodegenerative diseases, and WuXi Biologics, a global company with leading open-access biologics technology platforms, has unveiled plans to accelerate advancement of AC Immune’s TDP-43 antibody into clinical development for NeuroOrphan indications.
 
This next phase of the strategic partnership between the companies builds on the industry know-how of AC Immune’s proprietary drug discovery and development platforms and WuXi Biologics’ expertise in manufacturing innovative biologics. A particular focus is developing AC Immune’s clinical antibody candidate to ensure it has high-affinity for TDP-43 and is capable of preventing the intercellular spread of toxic species. With no disease modifying therapies currently available that target TDP-43 there is significant unmet need and market potential.
 
Emphasizing Synergy
 
“This strategic partnership highlights the benefits of a synergy between the WuXi Biologics’ integrated platforms and AC Immune’s leading drug discovery and development platforms for neurodegenerative diseases, to rapidly move candidates from discovery through clinical development and accelerate the time-to-market,” commented Prof. Andrea Pfeifer, CEO of AC Immune SA. “Particular expertise is required in the field of monoclonal antibody development, working with a global leader like WuXi Biologics allows us to work together up to commercialization. This also reflects AC Immune’s growth, where previously monoclonal antibodies were licensed out from discovery phase.”
 
Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics, said, “We are pleased to enable AC Immune to turn promising candidates into tangible treatments to fulfill the unmet medical needs in the field of CNS disorder… We look forward to empowering AC Immune to accelerate novel biologics development and benefiting patients worldwide.” 
 
The expansion of the partnership between the companies with the new agreement, follows data presented at this year’s AAT-AD/PD conference on AC Immune’s SupraAntigen-derived anti-TDP-43 therapeutic antibody candidate, which supported advancement into IND-enabling studies.
 
Through the new agreement, AC Immune gains access to WuXi Biologics’ proprietary platforms including cell line development platform, for the clinical manufacturing of AC Immune’s TDP-43 monoclonal antibodies. Under the agreement, AC Immune retains all intellectual property rights to molecules.