AC Immune Enters into Agreement with Lilly to Advance Tau-Targeting Alzheimer’s Therapies
Wednesday, April 08, 2026
AC Immune SA has announced an amendment to its 2018 licence and collaboration agreement with Eli Lilly and Company to advance research and development of small molecule therapies targeting Tau aggregation.
These therapies are being explored for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
The updated agreement expands the collaboration to include the development of new lead Tau Morphomer candidates, along with potential back-up compounds. The partnership will continue to focus on small molecules designed to target intracellular Tau, which is increasingly recognised as a key factor in disease progression.
Morphomer Tau candidates have been selected for their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier following oral administration and to bind specifically to pathological forms of the Tau protein. Preclinical studies conducted by AC Immune suggest that these compounds may help inhibit Tau aggregation and spreading across different stages of disease.
As part of the amended agreement, AC Immune will receive an upfront payment of CHF10 million. The company is also eligible for additional milestone payments, including one linked to Phase 1 dosing, along with previously agreed development, regulatory, and commercial milestones exceeding CHF1.7 billion. In addition, AC Immune may receive tiered royalties in the low double-digit range.
Source: acimmune.com
