In a groundbreaking move, Japan’s Takeda Pharmaceuticals has secured a deal worth up to $2.2 billion to develop an Alzheimer’s vaccine created by Swiss start-up AC Immune. This partnership comes as pharmaceutical companies worldwide are racing to invest in potential new treatments for the debilitating disease.
The vaccine, known as ACI-24.060, is part of a wave of new drugs set to hit the market, including lecanemab developed by Eisai, which received US regulatory approval last year. AC Immune will receive an initial payment of $100 million, with the potential to earn up to $2.1 billion in milestone payments and over 10% in royalties from global sales.
While early trials have shown no safety concerns, regulatory approval for the vaccine could still take several years. AC Immune’s CEO, Andrea Pfeifer, stated that efficacy data will not be available until a mid-stage trial is completed within the next 12 months.
The vaccine works by inducing an immune response that triggers the production of antibodies against the beta amyloid protein, which forms plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. This approach differs from antibody infusion drugs like lecanemab and donanemab, offering a potentially more cost-effective and convenient treatment option.
With an estimated 55 million people worldwide currently living with dementia, and that number expected to rise to 139 million by 2050, the need for effective Alzheimer’s treatments has never been more urgent. Takeda’s head of neuroscience therapeutic area unit, Sarah Sheikh, expressed excitement about the partnership with AC Immune, calling it a “groundbreaking treatment approach.”
This collaboration represents a significant step forward in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, offering hope for millions of patients and their families worldwide.