Immunotherapy in Early Parkinson’s Disease Posts Positive Interim Results from Phase 2 Study

AC Immune SA today announced positive interim safety and immunogenicity data from the Phase 2 VacSYn clinical trial evaluating ACI-7104.056, its anti-alpha-synuclein (a-syn) active immunotherapy candidate, for the treatment of patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD).

ACI-7104.056 is an optimized formulation of its clinically validated anti-a-syn predecessor active immunotherapy. It generated a target-specific antibody response against pathological oligomeric a-syn to inhibit spreading and downstream neurodegeneration in early PD.

The accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein aggregates has been shown to cause inflammatory stress in cells and contribute to the degeneration of neurons in the brain.

Dr. Andrea Pfeifer, CEO of AC Immune SA, commented in a press release on November 14, 2024, "We are encouraged by these initial Phase 2 safety and immunogenicity data on our ACI-7104.056 active immunotherapy being studied in early PD.'

"The level of immunogenicity after only 3 months of treatment, as well as the continued positive safety profile, reinforces the best-in-class characteristics of our clinically validated anti-a-syn active immunotherapy for treating PD."

"We look forward to sharing further updates in H1 2025, including the decision to expand into Part 2 of the VacSYn study."

The U.S. NIH says Parkinson's is a progressive movement disorder of the nervous system. It causes nerve cells (neurons) in parts of the brain to weaken, become damaged, and die, leading to symptoms that include problems with movement, tremors, stiffness, and impaired balance. People with PD may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks as symptoms progress.