Takeda Pharmaceutical has entered a potentially transformative $2.2 billion agreement with Swiss biotech AC Immune to develop an Alzheimer’s vaccine, amid a surge of interest in new dementia treatments. The deal includes an initial $100 million payment, escalating to $2.1 billion upon achieving specific development milestones, plus royalties exceeding 10% on global sales.
This vaccine, ACI-24.060, represents a significant shift from current treatment methods, such as the recently U.S.-approved lecanemab by Eisai, which require frequent infusions and are associated with high costs and intensive patient monitoring. In contrast, AC Immune’s vaccine aims to induce the body to produce its own antibodies against beta amyloid, the protein linked to Alzheimer’s, potentially allowing for less frequent dosing and lower healthcare burdens.
While early trials indicate no safety concerns, efficacy results are awaited over the next year. With Alzheimer’s affecting up to 70% of the 55 million dementia sufferers worldwide—a figure projected to nearly triple by 2050—the development of an effective vaccine could mark a major advancement in treating this prevalent and debilitating disease.
