- AC Immune to draw on WuXi Biologics' expertise in manufacturing innovative New Biological Entities against CNS disorders
including proprietary WuXiUP continuous manufacturing platform that can significantly reduce cost of biologics
- AC Immune to gain access to WuXi Biologics' proprietary discovery platforms including the WuXiBody(TM) Platform used for
the generation of bispecific antibodies
- WuXi Biologics to become a preferred partner for bioprocess development and manufacturing
Lausanne, Switzerland and Shanghai, China, December 19, 2018 - AC Immune SA (NASDAQ: ACIU),
a Swiss-based, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a broad pipeline focused on neurodegenerative diseases and WuXi
Biologics (2269.HK), a leading global open-access biologics technology platform company offering end-to-end solutions for biologics
discovery, development and manufacturing, today announced the first steps of an exclusive strategic collaboration that covers
biologics discovery, development and manufacturing.
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, CEO of AC Immune SA, commented: "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, CEO of WuXi Biologics commented: "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."
About AC Immune SA
AC Immune SA is a clinical-stage Swiss-based biopharmaceutical company, listed on NASDAQ, which aims to become a
global leader in precision medicine for Neurodegenerative Diseases. The Company designs, discovers and develops therapeutic as well
as diagnostic products intended to prevent and modify diseases caused by misfolding proteins. AC Immune's two proprietary
technology platforms create antibodies, small molecules and vaccines designed to address a broad spectrum of neurodegenerative
indications, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The Company's pipeline features nine therapeutic and three diagnostic product
candidates - with five product candidates currently in clinical trials. The most advanced of these is crenezumab, a humanized
anti-beta-amyloid monoclonal IgG4 antibody that targets monomeric and aggregated forms of beta-amyloid, with highest
affinity for neurotoxic oligomers. Crenezumab is currently in two Phase 3 clinical studies for AD, under a global program conducted
by collaboration partner Roche/Genentech. Other collaborations include Eli Lilly, Biogen, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Nestlé Institute
of Health Sciences, Life Molecular Imaging (formerly Piramal Imaging) and Essex Bio-Technology. For more information on AC Immune
SA, please visit http://www.acimmune.com/
About WuXi Biologics
WuXi Biologics (stock code: 2269.HK), a Hong Kong-listed company, is the only open-access biologics technology
platform in the world offering end-to-end solutions to empower organizations to discover, develop and manufacture biologics from
concept to commercial manufacturing. Our company history and achievements demonstrate our commitment to providing a truly one-stop
service offering and value proposition to our global clients. As of June 30, 2018, there were a total of 187 integrated projects,
including 98 projects in pre-clinical development stage, 78 projects in early-phase (Phase 1 and 2) clinical development, 10
projects in late-phase (Phase 3) development and 1 project in commercial manufacturing. With a total estimated capacity of
biopharmaceutical production planned in China, Ireland, Singapore and US reaching 220,000 liters after 2021, we provide our
biomanufacturing partners with a robust and premier-quality global supply chain network. For more information on WuXi Biologics,
please visit www.wuxibiologics.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," "would," "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.
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