AC Immune and WuXi Biologics have entered into a memorandum of understanding governing the terms of a preferred partnership allowing AC Immune to leverage WuXi Biologics’ capacities and capabilities in the manufacturing and supply of traditional and innovative New Biological Entities (NBE) against disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). Through this collaboration, AC Immune would have priority access to WuXi Biologics’ proprietary platforms, including the bispecific antibody platform WuXiBody(TM) and WuXiUP continuous manufacturing platform.  In addition, WuXi Biologics would become a preferred partner of AC Immune for bioprocess development, as well as manufacturing for discovery, pre-clinical and clinical supply of AC Immune’s NBE pipeline.

Under the same agreement, the companies would explore the use of AC Immune’s platform to treat non-CNS diseases by identifying areas where AC Immune’s antibody discovery platform could generate superior novel candidates. In addition, WuXi Vaccines, the vaccine arm of WuXi Biologics, would explore enabling the application of AC Immune’s vaccine portfolio in China. 

Prof. Andrea Pfeifer, chief executive officer of AC Immune SA, said, “I am very happy to work with WuXi Biologics and proud to form the basis for a partnership with such an esteemed partner in China. AC Immune aims to become a global leader in precision medicine of neurodegenerative diseases and in getting closer to develop a therapy against Alzheimer’s disease, in which China plays an important role.”

Dr Chris Chen, chief executive officer of WuXi Biologics said, “We are excited about finalizing this exclusive and comprehensive partnership and are pleased to enable AC Immune which has proven itself as a global leader in CNS diseases by partnering with Genentech and Lilly. Our comprehensive partnership would include discovery, development and manufacturing of multiple biologics and vaccine modalities including bispecific antibodies through our proprietary WuXiBody(TM) Platform.  This platform coupled with WuXiUP tackles technical hurdles of conventional bispecific platforms and tremendously reduces the cost of making these biologics, which is critical for success of biologics in treating CNS disorders.  We will continue to invest in developing next-generation globally leading technologies to enable global clients and transform biologics discovery, development and manufacturing. Together with global partners like AC Immune we are developing and manufacturing life-saving biologics to benefit patients around the world.”