Quarterlytics / Healthcare / Biotechnology / AC Immune

AC Immune

aciu · NASDAQ Healthcare
Claim this profile
Ticker aciu
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Healthcare
Industry Biotechnology
Employees 51-200
← All annual reports
FY2022 Annual Report · AC Immune
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
Annual Report 2022

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 |  

   | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

1

Contents

  2 

  3 

Operating and Financial Highlights

Chair & CEO’s Statement

Business Overview

  8 

 10 

 12 

AC Immune At a glance

Unmet need in neurodegenerative diseases

Our strategic vision

ESG Report

 24 

 26 

 28 

 30 

 Advancing treatment options 
to prevent neurodegeneration

People and communities

Sustainable operations and growth

Ethics and integrity

Corporate Governance

 34 

 36 

 38 

Board of Directors

Executive Management

 Directors and Executive Management 
Compensation Report

 48 

Statutory Auditor’s Report

Financial Statements

 52 

 53 

 54 

 55 

 56 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss)

 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive 
Income/(Loss)

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 58  Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 91 

Statutory Auditor’s Report

Statutory Financial Statements

 98 

 99 

Statutory Balance Sheets

Statutory Income Statements

 100  Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

 109  Proposed Carry Forward of the Accumulated Losses

 110  Statutory Auditor’s Report

 115  Shareholder Information

Our goal is global leadership 
in Precision Medicine for the 
diagnosis and treatment of 
neurodegenerative diseases

We are executing a clear business strategy built on three pillars:

alzheimer’s
disease

parkinson’s
and neuro
orphans

diagnostics

Accelerate development of 
novel therapeutics in AD with 
our partners 

Expand our strategic focus 
in Parkinson’s disease (PD) 
and non-AD neurodegenerative 
diseases, including 
NeuroOrphan indications and 
limbic-predominant age-related 
TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) 

A continued focus on diagnostics 
enabling Precision Medicine to 
be an ultimate differentiator for 
the Company

2

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Operating and Financial Highlights

Chair & CEO’s Statement  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

3

Operating and Financial  
Highlights

Chair & CEO’s  
Statement

AC Immune presents its 

financial results for the year 

ended December 31, 2022

122.6m

Cash and 
cash equivalents 
(CHF)

60.3m

R&D Expenditure 
(CHF)

“ AC Immune is shifting the treatment 
paradigm for neurodegenerative 
diseases towards Precision Medicine 
and disease prevention”

1.3m

Grant Income 
(CHF)

156

9

Employees Worldwide

Clinical Programs

Douglas Williams, Chair

Andrea Pfeifer, Chief Executive Officer

Q3 2024

447

Cash Runway

Patents Granted

4

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Operating and Financial Highlights

Operating and Financial Highlights  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

5

Chair & CEO’s  
Statement
continued

Dear Shareholders, 

We are pleased to present to you AC Immune’s 2022 Annual Report highlighting a year 
of accomplishments throughout our organization. We are also excited to share with you 
our newly designed Annual Report, which contains our first Environmental, Social and 
Governance Report. These reports emphasize our mission to become the global leader 
in Precision Medicine in neurodegenerative diseases, reflecting our core objectives to 
advance the treatment options to prevent neurodegeneration.

Advancing Precision Medicine: 
Major advances in diagnosis
Our mission to be the leader in Precision Medicine was 
exemplified through the achievements of important 
development milestones across our diagnostic programs.

In March, we announced that ACI-12589 was the first-ever positron 
emission tomography (PET) tracer to distinguish Multiple System 
Atrophy from other alpha-synucleinopathies, representing a 
potential breakthrough for neurodegenerative disease treatment. 

Vaccines as the new focus 
for treatment…
In November, we announced that our first-in-class vaccine 
candidate targeting pathological Tau proteins (phospho-Tau), 
ACI-35.030, had been selected by our partner, Janssen 
Pharmaceuticals Inc., for further development based on excellent 
Phase 1b/2a data. This selection of ACI-35.030 for further 
development marked a significant step for this collaboration. 
We anticipate the initiation of a late-stage proof-of-concept trial 
and milestone payment later this year as a result. 

In September, our partner, Life Molecular Imaging, announced 
that it was advancing the Tau-PET tracer into late-stage clinical 
development in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This has now been 
followed up by the initiation of a Phase 3 trial of PI-2620 in early 
January this year. Combined with our ACI-12589 results, these 
developments highlight the strength of our Morphomer 
technology platform. 

We also continued to advance our anti-alpha-synuclein (a-syn) 
vaccine, ACI-7104.056, targeting PD. Following the successful 
integration of this acquired asset, we received regulatory 
clearance to initiate an adaptive, biomarker-based Phase 2 study 
in patients with early PD. We expect to report early safety and 
immunogenicity data as part of an interim analysis in the second 
half of this year.

We also recently announced expansion of the development 
activities for different diagnostic tools with grants awarded by 
the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) and the Target ALS 
Foundation, both supporting research programs to enable 
diagnosis of TDP-43. TDP-43 is recognized as an important 
target in multiple neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) such as 
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar 
degeneration (FTLD) and as a prominent co-pathology in AD and 
Parkinson’s disease (PD).

…And entry into prevention 
of neurodegeneration 
We are making progress in shifting the treatment paradigm to 
earlier intervention and ultimately, prevention. We dosed the 
first AD patient with our anti-Abeta vaccine, ACI-24.060, in our 
innovative ABATE Phase 1b/2 clinical trial in patients with 
prodromal AD and individuals with Down syndrome. We are 
opening new centers in Spain and plan to submit a U.S. 
Investigational New Drug application in the first half of 2023 to 
subsequently open U.S. clinical trial sites. 

The recent success of monoclonal antibody-based therapies in 
AD demonstrates the potential of immunotherapies. We believe 
the best modality providing the right features for a preventive 
approach is a vaccine. As many of us have witnessed in these last 
few years, vaccines have incredible potential to alleviate and 
prevent tremendous suffering. We are striving to make their 
unique potential applicable to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other 
neurodegenerative diseases. We believe that AC Immune’s 
programs will have a profound social and economic impact and 
will be the next vaccines for the world.

Strengthening the Company 
during turbulent times
We broadened our team with the additions made to our Executive 
Leadership in 2022, including our first Chief Human Resources 
Officer, Howard Donovan, and the internal promotion of 
Christopher Roberts to become our Interim CFO. 

In response to a challenging macro environment in the 
biotechnology industry, we executed targeted, cost-saving 
initiatives that allowed us to extend our cash runway into the 
third quarter of 2024. This runway extension was achieved 
without reducing headcount while also ensuring that a number 
of our core, value-enhancing preclinical programs would 
continue to advance. 

We pride ourselves on delivering the best and leading science 
in our field. Our innovative scientific approach continued to be 
recognized with grants from the MJFF and Target ALS Foundation 
and has been further validated with multiple Key Opinion Leaders 
detailing their continued support.

In 2022, we successfully achieved multiple clinical milestones 
while continuing to expand and mature our diverse pipeline 
focused on diagnosing, treating, and ultimately, preventing 
neurodegenerative diseases. 

Looking into the future
Entering 2023, we are extremely proud of the progress across 
our pipeline and are more excited than ever for the outlook, 
specifically the further development milestones we are targeting 
in both the clinical and earlier stage research programs. 

Finally, we want to express our gratitude to all our stakeholders 
throughout this past year. We faced many challenges, but 
persevered due to the resiliency of our employees, support of 
our shareholders and continued focus on improving patient’s 
lives. We are committed in 2023 to building on the progress of 
2022 to make this year the best in AC Immune’s history!

Douglas Williams 
Chair 
March 16, 2023

Andrea Pfeifer
Chief Executive Officer

6
6

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 |  

   | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

7

Business  
Overview

8

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | AC Immune At a glance

AC Immune At a glance  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

9

AC Immune  
At a glance

Shifting the treatment paradigm for 
neurodegenerative disease towards 
Precision Medicine and disease prevention

16

programs in a broad, 
diverse pipeline

>3bn

in potential milestones from 
multiple global partnerships (CHF)

AC Immune is a leading, clinical stage biopharmaceutical 
company advancing one of the broadest portfolios focused 
on pioneering Precision Medicine for neurodegenerative 
diseases. Our highly differentiated approach integrates 
novel therapeutics and diagnostics to overcome the 
fundamental challenge in this therapeutic area – the high 
number of co-pathologies driving disease development 
and progression and the urgent need for more tailored 
therapeutic regimens. 

Leveraging our dual proprietary technology platforms, 
SupraAntigen and Morphomer, we have built a comprehensive 
pipeline of first-in-class or best-in-class candidates spanning 
multiple treatment modalities and targeting both established 
and emerging neurodegenerative pathologies. We are currently 
advancing 16 therapeutic and diagnostic programs, with seven 
currently in clinical trials, targeting five different types of misfolded 
pathological proteins related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 
Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. 

Our pipeline assets are further validated by the multiple 
partnerships we have established with leading global 
pharmaceutical companies. We believe our clinically validated 
technology platforms and multi-target, multimodal approach 
position AC Immune to revolutionize the treatment paradigm 
for neurodegenerative disease by shifting it towards Precision 
Medicine and disease prevention.

Precision Medicine

Our key differentiation that integrates 
therapeutics and diagnostics

Clinically validated 
technology platforms

Best-in-class small molecules and biologics

10

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Unmet need in neurodegenerative diseases

Unmet need in neurodegenerative diseases  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

11

Unmet need in  
neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases, including 
dementias and motor disorders associated 
with protein misfolding, are prevalent, but 
there is currently an absence of reliable, 
early-stage diagnosis and disease-modifying 
treatments for these diseases. The growth in 
the number of people with neurodegenerative 
diseases has been significant, as evidenced 
by the prevalence of people affected by 
AD and PD, two of the most common 
neurodegenerative diseases.

The World Health Organization recognizes dementia as a global 
public health priority. Worldwide, there is a new case of dementia 
every 3 seconds, with an estimated global patient population of 
greater than 50 million in 2020. This is predicted to increase to 
139 million by 2050 (Alzheimer’s Disease International).

The estimated total healthcare costs for the treatment of 
Alzheimer’s disease in the United States in 2022 is USD 321 
billion per the Alzheimer’s Association. The worldwide cost for 
dementia is expected to increase to approximately USD 2.8 trillion 
annually by 2030 as the population ages (Alzheimer’s Disease 
International). If the estimated global costs of dementia were 
a country, it would be the 14th largest economy in the world.

Neurodegenerative diseases represent a large and growing market
Prevalence of dementia expected to nearly double every 20 years

Neurodegenerative disease overview
Folding and unfolding of proteins are important ways of regulating 
the biological activity and cellular location of those proteins. 
Misfolding of proteins occurs due to a breakdown of cellular 
quality control systems and is a common feature of many 
neurodegenerative diseases. Misfolded proteins are unable to 
carry out their normal functions and aggregate to form insoluble 
deposits in the brain, which eventually lead to neuronal damage 
and cell death. The progression of neurodegenerative diseases, 
such as AD and PD, is linked to the spread of misfolded, 
pathological protein aggregates throughout the brain.

The misfolding protein image below also exhibits how our 
therapies are designed to intervene and prevent key pathological 
steps in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. They are 
designed to (i) prevent initial misfolding; (ii) promote disaggregation 
of misfolded proteins; (iii) inhibit spreading of pathological protein 
to healthy cells; (iv) prevent seeding of new misfolded protein 
aggregates inside healthy cells; and (v) inhibit downstream 
neurodegeneration. This robust approach to targeting 
neurodegenerative diseases is enabled by our two validated 
technology platforms, SupraAntigen and Morphomer, which 
generate highly specific biologics and small molecule inhibitors 
that can distinguish normal from misfolded proteins and inhibit 
key disease pathways both inside and outside of cells.

Misfolded proteins key impact on the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases

Affected cell

Recipient cell

50m

with dementia 
globally1

>1tn

global annual cost 
of dementia1 (USD)

6m

with PD2  
globally3

20-50%

of people over age 
80 with LATE4,5

6
s
e
g
a
t
S
D
A

f
o
e
c
n
e
l
a
v
e
r
P

l

l
a
b
o
G
e
v
i
t
a
l
e
R

15

12

9

6

3

0

Vaccines: For Treatment and Prevention

Diagnostics: Enable Earlier Intervention

Inhibit aggregation

Promote 
disaggregation

Prevent 
seeding

Monoclonal Antibodies: 
Primarily for Treatment

At Risk of AD

Preclinical AD

Prodromal AD

AD Dementia

Normal protein

Misfolded protein

Aggegrated protein

Morphomer target

Both immunotherapy and 
Morphomer target

Microglia

Uptake and activation

Inhibit 
spreading

Inhibit downstream 
neurodegeneration

Diagnosis typically takes the form of observation of cognitive, 
functional and behavioral impairment and other symptoms of 
the diseases, which are generally only apparent after 
irreversible neuronal damage has already occurred. In the 
United States, through Q1 2023, there were seven approved 
therapies for AD, five addressing symptoms and two being 
disease-modifying treatments. These provided incomplete 

clinical efficacy, presented non-negligible safety risks and failed to 
halt disease progression. Despite these shortcomings, marketed 
therapies, such as Eisai and Pfizer’s Aricept, have achieved peak 
annual global sales of approximately USD 2.4 billion prior to loss 
of exclusivity. Similarly, in the treatment of PD, the current 
standard of care is intended only to alleviate clinical symptoms.

1  Alzheimer’s Disease International
2  Parkinson’s disease
3  Michael J. Fox Foundation

4  Limbic-predominant age-related TDP 43 encephalopathy
5  Nelson PT et al., Brain 2019
6  Gustavsson et al., Alzheimer’s Dement., 2022

 
 
 
 
 
12

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Our strategic vision

Our strategic vision  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

13

Our strategic  
vision

Our goal is to continue leveraging our proprietary discovery platforms, SupraAntigen and 
Morphomer, to shift the treatment paradigm for neurodegenerative disease towards 
Precision Medicine and disease prevention. We are executing a clear business strategy 
built on three pillars: (i) accelerate development of novel therapeutics in AD with our partners; 
(ii) expand our strategic focus in Parkinson’ disease (PD) and non-AD neurodegenerative 
diseases, including NeuroOrphan indications and limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 
encephalopathy (LATE); and (iii) a continued focus on diagnostics enabling Precision Medicine 
to be an ultimate differentiator for the Company.

AC Immune’s three-pillar strategy

Precision Medicine

Alzheimer’s 
Disease (AD)

Focused non-AD
Parkinson’s
NeuroOrphan

Diagnostics

SupraAntigen & Morphomer

Alzheimer’s disease
 ² Accelerate development of novel late-stage therapies 

with partners

 ² Accelerate wholly-owned optimized anti-Abeta vaccine 
(ACI-24.060) with parallel development in AD and DS1

Non-AD and NeuroOrphans
 ² Increase strategic focus in non-AD to Parkinson’s disease
 ² Advance anti-a-syn2 vaccine into late-stage development

Diagnostics for Precision Medicine
 ² Advance our differentiated diagnostic pipeline for 

Parkinson’s disease and TDP-433-based pathologies

Values

1  Down syndrome
2  Alpha-synuclein
3  TAR DNA-binding protein 43

Our three-pillar execution strategy reflects our unique Precision 
Medicine approach, which ultimately creates differentiation due 
to our ability to address the high levels of co-pathologies present 
in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. Much like cancer, 
neurodegenerative diseases are heterogeneous and may require 
multiple therapeutic interventions tailored to patients’ specific 
disease drivers, to be used in combination in order to slow or 
stop the disease course. Ultimately, it is our belief that Precision 
Medicine will increase the chance of treatment success by 
enabling clinical trial participants to be better defined by their 
various proteinopathies, allowing for treatment with the right 
therapies at the right time.

AC Immune has established itself as a leader in developing 
Precision Medicines for neurodegenerative diseases by utilizing 
our diagnostic capabilities to enable improved diagnosis of 
co-pathologies, patient selection and assessment of clinical trial 
outcomes. Our dual technology platforms allow for a multi-modal 
approach encompassing a portfolio of vaccines, antibodies and 
small molecules tailored to the underlying pathology driving 
patients’ disease. In addition to generating targeted monotherapies, 
this approach creates the potential for combination regimens, 
which may treat a broader spectrum of disease and offer 
greater efficacy.

Precision Medicine for neurodegenerative diseases
The development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases 
is moving towards treating early-stage disease to delay or prevent 
progression by preserving neurological function before it is 
irretrievably lost. Therefore, early detection of neurodegenerative 
diseases will be critical to enhancing the effectiveness of both 
symptomatic and disease-modifying therapies.

At AC Immune, we have a strong track record in discovering 
highly sensitive and specific imaging agents to detect and 
quantify pathological proteins and their aggregated forms 
directly in patients’ brains using PET scans. These agents can 
provide critical information to confirm or exclude certain 
diagnoses and thus to determine which might be the most 
appropriate therapeutic strategy for a patient.

This begins with a real challenge. The commonly used approach 
of taking a biopsy of the affected tissue to detect the corresponding 
pathology is not possible with diseases of the brain. Given these 
complexities, it becomes more important that we develop 
improved methods to fully characterize the underlying pathologies 
in different patients to ultimately provide better opportunities for 
therapeutic intervention at all stages of disease. Samples of blood 
or cerebrospinal fluid can be used to monitor biomarker levels 
indirectly but neither of these fluids provide exact anatomical 
information on where protein misfolding and aggregation occur. 

We are developing an integrated diagnostic and therapeutic 
strategy to deliver, for the first time, Precision Medicine for 
patients with neurodegenerative conditions. This will lead to a 
combination therapy approach to treat each patient’s unique 
disease by addressing the right proteinopathy, in the right 
patient, at the right time.

Vaccines for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
Consistent with this approach, we are progressing our vaccines 
targeting the hallmark proteins driving neurodegenerative diseases 
such as amyloid beta, Tau, and alpha-synuclein. Our clinical stage 
vaccine programs, ACI-35.030 (anti-pTau vaccine), ACI-24.060 
(anti-Abeta vaccine) and ACI-7104.056 (anti-a-syn vaccine) have 
been shown to stimulate a patient’s own immune system to 
produce antibodies directed specifically against the pathological 
species of these target proteins.

We believe that these antibodies will modify the course of disease 
by supporting clearance of toxic protein aggregates (as recent 
clinical data from certain monoclonal antibodies have shown) 
or by preventing their spreading and accumulation, thereby 
preserving neuronal health and function. Importantly, the use 
of vaccines over the longer-term and in people identified as 
“at risk” before symptomatic disease development will provide 
the rational, targeted approach consistent with our Precision 
Medicine strategy. 

14

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Our strategic vision

Our strategic vision  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

15

Our strategic  
vision
continued

Key elements of our approach include:
Execution on advancing our product candidates, in partnership or alone, from clinical development to regulatory approval and 
potential commercialization

Our broad and robust clinical stage pipeline

TARGET

PRODUCT CANDIDATE

INDICATION

PHASE

PARTNER

ACI-35.030
(anti-pTau vaccine)

Semorinemab
(anti-Tau antibody)

Tau

Morphomer Tau  
aggregation inhibitor

AD1 treatment

    

Janssen

AD treatment 
(mild-to-moderate)2 

    

Genentech/
Roche

Rare Tauopathies

    

Eli Lilly

AD treatment

    

Eli Lilly

Tau-PET3 tracer

Crenezumab 
(anti-Abeta antibody)

ACI-24.060 
(anti-Abeta vaccine)

ACI-7104.056 
(anti a-syn vaccine)

Abeta

a-syn7 

Life Molecular 
Imaging

Life Molecular 
Imaging

Genentech/
Roche

AD diagnostic

    

PSP4 diagnostic

    

AD prevention5 

    

AD treatment 
(Down syndrome6)

    

AD treatment

    

PD8, a-synucleinopathies

    

a-syn-PET tracer

a-synucleinopathies (e.g. MSA9)

    

 Biologic

 Small Molecule  Diagnostic

Discovery
    

Preclinical
    

Phase I
    

Phase II
    

Phase III
    

ACI-7104.056

1  Alzheimer’s disease
2  Open label extension study is ongoing
3  Positron emission tomography
4  Progressive supranuclear palsy
5  Prevention trial API-ADAD in Colombia
6  Down syndrome-related Alzheimer’s disease
7  alpha-synuclein
8  Parkinson’s disease
9  Multiple system atrophy

Our clinical stage product candidates include:

PRODUCT CANDIDATE

DESCRIPTION

ACI-35.030

AC Immune and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Janssen), part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies 
of Johnson & Johnson, are evaluating the anti-phosphorylated-Tau (anti-pTau) vaccine candidate 
ACI-35.030 in a Phase 1b/2a study in subjects with early AD (NCT04445831). Interim results show that 
ACI-35.030 vaccination generated a strong antigen-specific antibody response against pTau in 100% of 
participants, achieving anti-pTau antibody levels of about two orders of magnitude higher than pre-
vaccination levels, whereas anti-ePHF (enriched paired helical filaments) antibody titers increased by 
one order of magnitude from baseline as early as two weeks after the second injection at week 8 of the 
mid-dose of ACI-35.030. Based on these results, the second highest dose cohort was expanded in Q2 
2021 to facilitate plans for further late-stage development. The safety and the tolerability have been good 
in the study.

In Q4 2022, it was announced that, based on the Phase 1b/2a interim data, ACI-35.030 had been 
selected for further development. New clinical data from the Phase 1b/2a trial showed that ACI-35.030 
treatment rapidly leads to the strong and durable induction of antibodies specific for pathological forms 
of Tau such as pTau and its aggregated form, ePHF. The ACI-35.030-induced antibody response was 
sustained and could be periodically boosted over a period of 72 weeks. The decision to select ACI-
35.030 follows the comparison demonstrating its strengths relative to an alternative anti-pTau protein 
conjugate vaccine, JACI-35.054.

ACI-24.060  
for AD and  
for AD in DS

The original formulation of our wholly owned anti-amyloid-beta vaccine candidate was shown to be safe 
and well tolerated along with preliminary evidence of immunogenicity and pharmacodynamic effects in 
patients with AD and in people with DS. Based on these results, the optimized formulation, ACI-24.060, 
which incorporates Abeta unrelated T-helper cell epitopes to increase the magnitude and the boost-
ability of the antibody response, was advanced into the ABATE Phase 1b/2 trial.

ABATE is a multicenter, adaptive, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study designed to assess 
the safety, tolerability, immunogenicity, and pharmacodynamic effects of ACl-24.060 in subjects with 
prodromal AD and subsequently in adults with DS is ongoing. The Clinical Trial Application (CTA) has 
been approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and by the 
Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) with the first patient dosed in Q2 2022. 
AC Immune plans for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application in the USA in H1 2023 for the global 
development of the vaccine candidate.

The optimized formulation of the clinically-validated PD vaccine candidate PD01, will advance into an 
adaptive, biomarker-based Phase 2 study following the recent clearance of the CTA. This trial will 
evaluate an initial dose-response of ACI-7104.056 focusing on safety and immunogenicity against a-syn 
and pathological a-syn species. Additionally, the identification or verification of disease-specific 
biomarkers and progression of motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease will be 
monitored, together with digital, imaging and fluid biomarkers, in the second part of the study. The trial 
initiation is anticipated in H1 2023.

16

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Our strategic vision

Our strategic vision  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

17

Our strategic  
vision
continued

PRODUCT CANDIDATE

DESCRIPTION

PRODUCT CANDIDATE

DESCRIPTION

Semorinemab

Crenezumab

Morphomer Tau 
aggregation inhibitors

Our collaboration partner, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, is developing semorinemab for the 
treatment of AD. A Phase 2 study (Lauriet) conducted in patients with mild-to-moderate AD was completed 
in Q3 2021 and data showed a statistically significant reduction on one of two co-primary endpoints, 
ADAS-Cog11. The second co-primary endpoint, ADCS-ADL, and secondary endpoints were not met. Safety 
data showed that semorinemab is well tolerated with no unanticipated safety signals. At CTAD 2022, 
Genentech presented CSF and plasma biomarkers. These data confirmed peripheral target engagement 
and reduction in CSF total Tau, pTau181 and pTau217, observed after semorinemab treatment but not 
with placebo. Genentech reported that the open label portion of the study will continue as planned and 
that further analyses are ongoing. Semorinemab is designed to slow the spreading of Tau pathology, 
which coincides with both clinical symptoms and disease progression in AD.

In August 2022, the Company provided an update on the Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative study evaluating 
crenezumab in autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease, a specific genetic mutation which causes 
early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. While numerical differences favoring crenezumab over placebo were 
observed across the co-primary, multiple secondary and exploratory endpoints, none of these effects 
were statistically significant. Initial data was presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International 
Conference (AAIC) on August 2, 2022. Further plasma biomarker analyses presented at the CTAD 2022 
conference further favored crenezumab over placebo. All participants in the study were offered up to one 
year of continued treatment (crenezumab for all carriers and placebo for all non-carrier) following the end 
of the double-blind period while primary results and additional analyses were pending. Final efficacy visits 
have begun.

In collaboration with our partner, Eli Lilly and Company, we are researching and developing small molecule 
Tau aggregation inhibitors with plans to evaluate candidates in AD and NeuroOrphan tauopathies. 
We completed a Phase 1 clinical study in healthy volunteers with ACI-3024, in Q2 2020, which showed 
a dose-dependent exposure and brain penetration, achieving the desired levels of ACI-3024 in the CSF. 
Continued candidate characterization across the research program has also identified new and highly 
differentiated candidates with excellent cerebrospinal fluid exposure, selectivity for pathological 
aggregated Tau.

PI-2620

ACI-12589

PI-2620 is the Tau-PET imaging agent discovered during the collaboration of AC Immune and Life 
Molecular Imaging. We are working with our partner to advance PI-2620 as a highly differentiated, 
best-in-class Tau diagnostic for AD as well as non-AD Tauopathies such as progressive supranuclear 
palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). Results have demonstrated PI-2620’s differentiated 
characteristics as a diagnostic tool for studying Tau-related diseases. Results on the use of PI-2620 in 
AD patients from an investigator sponsored Phase 2 trial at the Asan Medical Center (NCT03903211) 
were presented at the 2022 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). Following these, 
LMI moved PI-2620 into late-stage clinical development in AD and made a milestone payment. The first 
Alzheimer’s patient in ADvance, the pivotal Phase 3 histopathology study in AD (NCT05641688) was 
imaged in January 2023. 

Our next-generation a-syn-PET imaging tracer, derived from our Morphomer platform, has shown significant 
potential to reliably detect and map deposits of pathological alpha-synuclein protein in the brain. Supported 
by the MJFF, ACI-12589, our latest diagnostic imaging agent, completed a first-in-human study and an 
investigator-initiated study in 2022. The readouts of these trials in patients with PD, multiple system atrophy 
(MSA) and other synucleinopathies were reported at the AD/PD and AAIC 2022 conferences. These images 
provided the first clinical proof-of-concept for an a-syn-PET tracer, as ACI-12589 clearly distinguished 
patients with MSA from those with other alpha-synucleinopathies and healthy controls. Moreover, our 
Morphomer platform is delivering additional candidates with improved binding properties and the potential 
to image a-syn pathology in patients with PD.

In our preclinical pipeline, we are pursuing development of therapeutic and diagnostic candidates to address co-pathologies in AD 
and PD, and NeuroOrphan indications driven by a-syn- and TDP 43, as well as neuroinflammation. Pursuing NeuroOrphan indications 
may enable us to obtain a streamlined regulatory approval pathway and favorable reimbursement for any approved products.

18

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Our strategic vision

Our strategic vision  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

19

Our strategic  
vision
continued

Continuing to optimize our long-term growth by selectively partnering product candidates for global development 
and commercialization
We have a strong track record of establishing value-driving 
collaboration agreements with leading pharmaceutical 
companies, including two collaborations with Genentech, one 
with Janssen and one with Lilly. This strategy allows us to 
leverage our partners’ scientific, development, manufacturing 
and commercialization expertise and other resources while 
partially monetizing our investments, de-risking and 

accelerating the development of our product candidates. This 
strategy also enables us to use non-dilutive partnership revenue 
to bolster our investment into our early-stage proprietary 
programs and fuel our continued growth. We have five current 
collaboration agreements with leading global pharmaceutical 
companies, summarized in the table below:

PRODUCT

Biologics

Crenezumab
(anti-Abeta antibody)

Semorinemab
(anti-Tau antibody)

ACI-35.030
(anti-pTau vaccine)

Small Molecule

Tau-PET3 
imaging agent

Tau Morphomer 
small molecules

Total (CHF m)7 

DEVELOPMENT 
PHASE

TOTAL VALUE1
in millions

UPFRONT
 in millions

MILESTONES 
RECEIVED TO DATE
in millions

ROYALTIES

PARTNERS

  

USD 340

USD 25

USD 40

  

CHF 430

CHF 17

CHF 42

  2  CHF 500

CHF 26

CHF 5

  4 

EUR 160

EUR 0.5

EUR 7

  5 

CHF 1,860

CHF 80 +USD 506 

CHF 40

~3,311

155.28 

132.4

Mid-single digits 
to mid-teens

Genentech/
Roche

Mid-single digits to 
low-double digits

Genentech/
Roche

Low-double digits 
to mid-teens

Janssen

Mid-single digits 
to low-teens

Life Molecular 
Imaging

Low-double digits 
to mid-teens

Eli Lilly

Phase I
  

Phase II
  

Phase III
  

1  Disclosure limited due to confidentiality agreements with collaboration partners
2  Phase Ib/IIa
3  Positron emission tomography
4  Advanced into late-stage development in AD
5  Phase 1 completed
6  Equity investment
7  Converted to CHF on date of receipt
8  Excludes convertible note agreement of USD 50 million

For any additional product candidates targeting large markets, 
we may, if appropriate, selectively partner with leading companies 
that we believe can contribute development, manufacturing and 
marketing expertise, geographic reach and/or other resources 
that can enhance the value of our wholly-owned products. 

We will continue to seek to retain certain indications 
(e.g., NeuroOrphan) and/or geographies, such that we could 
begin to grow our own marketing capabilities as we develop 
AC Immune into a fully integrated pharmaceutical company.

The benefits of our clinically-validated, proprietary technology platforms
The engines that drive our growth are our two unique proprietary 
and versatile technology platforms: our SupraAntigen platform, 
which is our biological and immunological platform, and our 
Morphomer platform, which is our chemical platform. These 
platforms generate biologics (vaccines and antibodies) and small 
molecules, respectively, which are designed to selectively interact 
with the misfolded proteins that are common in a broad range of 
neurodegenerative diseases. These clinically-validated platforms 
form the basis of our ongoing pipeline development and the 
value-driving strategic partnerships we have established to date.

therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. Our SupraAntigen 
platform targets misfolded proteins through antigens displayed on 
the surface of liposomes, which mimic the targeted pathological 
form of the protein. In a complementary approach, our Morphomer 
platform uses small molecular weight compounds to target the 
aggregation and seeding process, which prevents the misfolded 
proteins from aggregating inside the cell and prevents the 
formation of new misfolded proteins in healthy neighboring cells 
through a seeding mechanism. Small molecules derived from 
our Morphomer platform, which we refer to as Morphomers, not 
only inhibit aggregation of pathological proteins, but also promote 
disaggregation of already formed aggregates, thereby potentially 
enhancing their therapeutic potential even in established 
disease states.

The key aspect of both our SupraAntigen and Morphomer 
technology platforms is conformational specificity, which we 
believe is central to the development of effective and safe 

SupraAntigen and Morphomer platforms: an integrated approach to CNS-specific therapies

SupraAntigen

Morphomer

Active vaccination

·  Conformation- and target-specific 
  efficacious vaccines
·  Sustainable and boostable 
  robust response
·  Safe and T-cell independent

Diagnostics

·  Unique PET ligands
  (Tau; a-syn5 and TDP-436)
·  Sensitive biofluid tests
  for new targets (a-syn
  and TDP-43)

Targeted antibodies

Small molecules

·  Highly specific (low nM1 to 
  pM2) monoclonal antibodies
·  Intra- and extrabodies for 
  potential CNS3 delivery

·  Excellent BBB4 passage
·  Intracellular mechanism 
  of action
·  Highly selective for 
  pathological forms of 
  target proteins

1  Nanomolar
2  Picomolar
3  Central nervous system
4  Blood-brain barrier
5  alpha-synuclein
6  TAR DNA-binding protein 43

20

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Our strategic vision

Our strategic vision  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

21

Our strategic  
vision
continued

The SupraAntigen platform was first developed by AC Immune’s 
scientific co-founders to overcome a challenge common to 
neurodegenerative diseases: the lack of immunogenicity of 
disease-causing self-proteins. The SupraAntigen platform uses 
liposomes (small spherical vesicles formed by a lipid bilayer) to 
present specific antigens designed to evoke an immune response. 
SupraAntigen is used to generate conformation-specific 
antibodies for immunotherapy in neurodegenerative diseases. 
The overarching idea behind the platform is that antibodies, which 
are large in size, are well-suited to target extracellular proteins, 
interrupt spreading of pathological proteins, and break up and 
clear aggregates of misfolded proteins through phagocytosis.

AC Immune has acquired advanced mastery of the design and 
manipulation of liposomes to develop either passive or active 
immunization techniques to generate antibodies targeting 
neurodegenerative diseases. When pursuing active immunization 
approaches, we use liposomes carrying a specific antigen as a 
vaccine. After vaccination with a liposome, antigen and 
confirmation-specific antibodies are produced naturally by the 
host with very high affinity without further optimization. This 
immune response can be long-lasting and may be ideal to 
prevent the onset of a disease, as the immune system is now 
primed to rapidly identify disease-causing misfolded proteins. 

The Morphomer platform is designed to enable the development of 
small molecules (Morphomers) able to bind/interact with beta-
sheets containing fibrillary aggregates from candidate selection 
through preclinical proof-of-concept. Morphomers can target 
pathological protein aggregates in any brain compartment and 
are equally well suited for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

The first key component of the Morphomer platform is its library 
of rationally designed, CNS-optimized non-dye compounds. AC 
Immune’s extensive know-how has enabled the identification of 
CNS compounds that penetrate the brain and demonstrate high 
selectivity for the target. This knowledge has been used to focus 
the Morphomer library to approximately 15,000 compounds that 
display these favorable characteristics, making this library an 
ideal starting point when developing molecules to target human 
proteinopathies of the CNS. Thus, rather than using the 
non-directed trial and error strategy of the typical drug development 
process, the Morphomer platform utilizes its bias for successful 
CNS candidates to improve efficiency and accelerate the early 
stages of the drug development process. Extensive expertise in 
medicinal chemistry and a suite of proprietary assays developed 
to screen and validate candidate compounds enables AC 
Immune to rapidly optimize multiple, highly diversified lead 
compounds for further preclinical and clinical development.

Given the inherent advantages of vaccines compared to 
monoclonal antibodies, we believe that our programs could 
have a profound global social and economic impact as a new 
class of therapy for neurogenerative diseases in various settings. 

Shifting the current treatment paradigm for neurodegenerative diseases
Modifying the progression of the disease requires targeting the 
specific underlying biological processes that drive disease 
progression. Unfortunately, these processes evolve over the course 
of many years prior to manifestation of symptoms and a high 
percentage of neurons may be lost prior to clinical manifestation. 
Earlier intervention or prevention of the disease could have a 
major impact, but it requires accurate disease detection prior to 
developing symptoms. Due to recent advancement in biomarker 
research, people at risk of developing AD can be diagnosed 10 
to 20 years before symptoms occur, opening a completely new 
market segment for the prevention of NDD when active vaccination 
will play an important role. This early, and potentially preventative, 
Precision Medicine approach may ultimately lead to better 
disease management for patients with neurodegenerative 
diseases.
Vaccines as a new class of treatment for neurodegenerative diseases

In regard to treatment, vaccines have potentially improved safety 
and efficacy profiles. By stimulating the patient’s own immune 
system to produce antibodies, we believe tolerability would be 
enhanced by avoiding the need to introduce repeated large doses 
of externally manufactured antibodies. Additionally, due to their 
ability to target multiple epitopes with a long-lasting and 
consistent immune response, the polyclonal antibody response 
generated by a vaccine permits covering multiple pathological 
species of the targeted protein.

Treatment

·  Multiple epitope targeting
·  Long-lasting immune response
·  Steady titers
·  Favorable safety and tolerability
·  Convenient, annual dosing

Prevention

·  Vaccination is the best strategy to 
  preserve function and quality of life
·  Cost-effective and global application

Maintenance

·  Use as maintenance therapy after 
  monoclonal anti-Abeta antibodies
·  Convenient, annual dosing to 
  maintain low plaque levels

Vaccines offer other multiple advantages over 
other therapies
Vaccines are also much simpler to administer. They are amenable 
to convenient annual or biannual dosing whereas monoclonal 
antibodies require frequent intravenous infusions (up to twice 
per month). These dosing regimens position vaccines as an 
obvious solution for a maintenance therapy for patients who 
have previously achieved plaque clearance with antibodies. 
This approach will reduce the burden for infusion centers and 
enhance access to a broader patient population. 

In addition to these advantages, vaccines allow for more simplified 
distribution logistics and cost-effectiveness. These factors are 
crucial to enable their global application as preventative 
therapies. Given the irreversible nature of neuronal damage, 
earlier intervention, even before symptoms become visible, 
promises to be the best strategy to preserve patient function 
and quality of life.

22

AC Immune Annual Report 2022   

   | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

23

ESG  
Report

AC Immune’s approach to sustainability 

At AC Immune, we are dedicated to advancing sustainable practices that align with our 
mission to diagnose, treat and prevent neurodegenerative diseases. We are committed 
to balancing the needs of patients, caregivers, our employees, investors and other key 
stakeholders. We are proud to present our inaugural ESG report outlining these efforts.

AC Immune’s values reinforce our responsibility toward our core mission of advancing 
treatment options to prevent neurodegeneration, our people and communities, 
sustainable operations and growth, and ethics and integrity. Our values are underpinned 
by policies and procedures deeply woven into each of these areas. Our values are core 
to who we are.

24

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Advancing treatment options to prevent neurodegeneration

Advancing treatment options to prevent neurodegeneration  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

25

Advancing treatment options  
to prevent neurodegeneration

AC Immune recognizes that dementia has become a global epidemic. Currently, more than 
50 million people worldwide live with dementia or related Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at an 
estimated global cost of USD 1 trillion annually. An additional 6 million people have 
Parkinson’s Disease. We are focused on addressing the social and economic challenges 
created by the growing incidence of these and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Dedicated to improving peoples’ lives
At AC Immune, our goal is to make a difference in the lives 
of patients, their families, and caregivers. We are committed 
to developing new products, based on a Precision Medicine 
approach, to diagnose, treat, and ultimately, prevent 
neurogenerative diseases, the largest unmet need in healthcare.

Precision Medicine will enable us to deliver the best combination 
of treatments and preventive strategies tailored to each 
patient’s diagnostic profile. We actively engage with patient 
groups and advocates to understand the needs of those living 
with these conditions. 

We are currently advancing 16 therapeutic and diagnostic 
programs, with seven currently in clinical trials, targeting five 
different types of misfolded pathological proteins related to 
Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and other 
neurodegenerative disorders.

2022 program highlights:
 ² First ever live image of alpha-synuclein (a-syn) 
in a human brain with our proprietarily held 
a-syn-PET tracer

 ² Initiation of landmark Phase 1b/2 study of 
ACI-24.060, our anti-Abeta vaccine, in both 
sporadic AD and Down syndrome (DS)

 ² Initiation of first Phase 2 of an anti-a-syn vaccine 

 ² Delivery of six total clinical milestones

with our ACI-7104.056

5

Targets

Tau
Abeta
Alpha-synuclein
TDP-431
Inflammasome

5+

Indications

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
AD in Down syndrome
Parkinson’s Disease
MSA2
PSP3
ALS4
Other rare diseases

4

Modalities

Vaccine
Antibody 
Small molecule
Diagnostic 

1  TAR DNA-binding protein 43

2  Multiple System Atrophy

3  Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

4  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

26

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | People and communities

People and communities  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

27

People and  
communities

Our people are the cornerstone of our success, contributing to the Company’s growth. Our 
values represent what we stand for and  serve as a guide for our actions. They define the 
identity of AC Immune.

Academic Qualifications

AC Immune must continue to attract, engage, and incentivize a 
diverse group of scientists and other staff to ensure that we are 
able to compete in the research and development of therapies 
for patients.

Diversity at AC Immune
Promoting diversity can help to create a more inclusive and 
respectful environment and can also bring a variety of perspectives 
and ideas that can lead to improved performance and innovation.

Diversity is our strength

30+

nationalities represented
in the Company

AC Immune and the Global BBP Brain Trust
In support of Alzheimer’s disease research, outreach and 
support, AC Immune via our CEO, Andrea Pfeifer, collaborates 
with the BrainTrust. An organization led by influential women 
from government, business and philanthropy, the BrainTrust is 
dedicated to becoming a trusted advisor to policy and decision 
makers in order to catalyze the scientific, healthcare and 
institutional expertise necessary to demonstrate and valorize 
the benefits of investing in women’s brain health. 

40%+

hold Ph.D. degrees

30%+

hold M.Sc. degrees

156
employees
Women: 57%
Men: 43%

Women as
Project Leaders
42%

Women in 
Executive 
Leadership
29%

Women on 
Board of Directors
33%

28

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Sustainable operations and growth

Sustainable operations and growth  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

29

Sustainable operations  
and growth

AC Immune recognizes that all businesses have a role in cultivating their environment. Our 
stakeholders have high expectations that we will act responsibly, particularly in light of our 
core mission. The participation in sustainability initiatives is interwoven into our operations.

Sustainability at the EPFL Innovation Park
AC Immune has been a longstanding member of the EPFL 
Innovation Park, a partner in sustainable activity. Currently, with 
EPFL’s leadership, we are part of a committed plan to reduce 
energy usage by 15% in the common areas in 2023. The plan 
includes such measures as the targeted reduction of utilities 
usage during off-periods and replacement of inefficient lighting. 
Additionally, we have set preliminary energy reduction goals of 
10% for 2023, focusing on the upgrading of older, inefficient 
freezers and other infrastructure.

Swiss Triple Impact
AC Immune is a member of B Lab Switzerland’s Swiss Triple 
Impact (STI), a program to transition the Swiss ecosystem 
effectively towards a more resilient economy. This unique 
program assists Swiss companies to measure their contributions 
to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and identify the 
most important areas for improvement, while at the same time 
opening up new business opportunities and boosting innovation. 
The STI program is targeting more than 3,000 companies in a 
diverse array of sectors to track commitment to the SDGs.

We are also signatories of EPFL Innovation Park Sustainability 
Charter, which was launched to reinforce and share the 
commitment for sustainable activities.  

Commuting and flexible working
Commuting and flexible working are closely related as they 
both have an impact on the way employees travel to and from 
work, and have a positive impact on the environment and 
employee wellbeing.

Laboratory safety and maintenance
AC Immune is committed to ensuring laboratory safety and 
maintenance to protect its employees. We operate various 
initiatives including:
 ² Proper training and education on handling of hazardous 

AC Immune offers flexible time and home office days. These 
initiatives help to reduce peak-hour congestion and emissions, 
as well as allow employees to choose sustainable 
transportation options.

Additionally, we promote a sustainable mobility policy by 
incentivizing our employees to utilize public transportation 
through subsidies of up to 30%, as well as other incentives for 
employees who commute via other environmentally friendly 
methods (e.g. bicycle).

materials and waste

 ² Regular inspection and maintenance of equipment

 ² Providing personal protective equipment

 ² Regularly conducting safety drills and exercises 

for emergency situations; and 

 ² Establishment of emergency response plans

These measures are intended to keep our employees safe in 
our laboratories as well as reduce the environmental impact 
of materials used in our research activities.

30

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Ethics and integrity

Ethics and integrity  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

31

Ethics and  
integrity

AC Immune’s Commitment to Ethics and Integrity refers to our adherence to a set of moral 
principles and values that guide the Company’s actions. This commitment involves being 
honest, transparent and accountable in all actions and decisions, and striving to do what is 
right and fair, even in difficult or challenging situations. This is essential for building trust and 
credibility and is an important aspect of responsible and sustainable business practices.

AC Immune’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics outlines our 
foundational values to operate ethically, with integrity and with a 
focus on transparency. These values minimize our risk for patient, 
regulatory or financial repercussions. Through the implementation 
of a strong governance framework, we are able to build trust, 
ensure compliance with regulatory standards continue our 
operations. We also have a Board of Directors charter to commit 
to the highest standards of ethics and integrity.

Our quality compliance requirements have increased as we 
have expanded our pipeline and advanced certain programs 
into mid-stage clinical development. Our VP Regulatory Affairs 
and Quality Assurance (QA) is responsible for managing these 
requirements. As an example, we introduced a document 
management system, enabling easier access to standard 
operating procedures. 

Transparency
AC Immune maintains a whistleblower hotline and encourages 
all employees, officers and directors to report any concerns 
promptly. We will thoroughly investigate any reports of violations 
made in good faith. All employees, officers and directors are 
required to cooperate in any internal investigations of misconduct 
and unethical behavior. We will not tolerate any kind of retaliation 
for reports or complaints regarding misconduct that were made 
in good faith and will investigate until an issue is resolved. 

Quality
AC Immune is committed to performing the highest quality 
scientific research and development. Through these efforts, 
we strive to develop medicines that will impact our patients’ lives 
without compromising on quality and safety. We prioritize our 
patients’ safety and welfare over all other business priorities.  

Our approach to quality is fundamental. We have taken a proactive 
approach to integrating a Quality Management System (QMS) 
which ensures that adequate quality standards are implemented 
throughout the product lifecycle. This promotes compliance, 
facilitates acceptance by the Health Authorities and addresses 
customers’ needs (e.g. Medical doctors, subjects included in 
the clinical trials, partners). Our QMS also enables innovation 
and continuous improvement while ensuring collaboration 
amongst preclinical, clinical, pharmaceutical development and 
manufacturing activities. 

We also monitor performance and compliance with QA objectives 
throughout the year via cross-functional meetings with senior 
leadership. In these meetings, we track progress and develop 
remediation actions for any non-compliant areas. We report our 
quality performance monthly to our CEO. Finally, we also have 
mandatory reviews and training relevant for each person upon 
hire and throughout their tenure with the Company.

Cybersecurity and privacy
Protecting our sensitive data and intellectual property is of 
critical importance to our business. We have implemented 
cybersecurity measures to safeguard against cyber attacks, 
data breaches, and unauthorized access to our systems. Our 
security controls include regular security assessments and 
continuous monitoring of our network and infrastructure. We 
have also implemented an electronic lab notebook system.

We also prioritize the privacy of our stakeholders, including our 
employees, patients, partners and others. We have implemented 
policies and procedures to ensure that all personal data is 
collected, processed, and stored in compliance with applicable 
privacy laws and regulations. We provide training and awareness 
programs to our employees to ensure that they understand 
their roles and responsibilities in protecting personal data.

Overall, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards 
of cybersecurity and privacy to protect our business and 
stakeholders. We will continue to invest in these areas to ensure 
that we stay ahead of emerging threats and maintain the trust 
of our stakeholders.

32

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 |  

  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

33

Corporate  
Governance

34

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Board of Directors

Board of Directors  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

35

Board of  
Directors

DOUGLAS E. WILLIAMS, PH.D. CHAIR
Chair of the Board: Since 2019
Chair of the Compensation, Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee: Since 2018

Douglas Williams is currently the President, CEO and member of the Board of Directors of Codiak BioSciences. 
He was previously Biogen’s Executive Vice President, Research and Development, serving in this role from 
January 2011 to July 2015. He joined Biogen from ZymoGenetics, where he was most recently CEO and member 
of the Board of Directors. ZymoGenetics was purchased for $985 million by Bristol Myers Squibb during 
Dr. Williams’ tenure.

ANDREA PFEIFER, PH.D. COFOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Member of the Board: Since 2016

Andrea Pfeifer co-founded AC Immune SA in 2003, successfully leading it to an IPO in 2016, since when she 
has served as a Director on the Board. Under her leadership, multiple transformative partnerships have been 
established with leading pharmaceutical companies, yielding a potential value of up to CHF 3.3 billion plus 
additional royalties. Before founding the Company, she was the Head of Nestlé Research Centre in Lausanne, 
Switzerland where she played a major role in connecting science and business.

MONIKA BÜTLER, PH.D. CHAIR OF THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Member of the Board: Since 2021
Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee: Since 2021 

Monika Bütler is a leading Swiss economist and former Vice President of the independent Swiss Covid-19 
Science Taskforce. She is a member of the Board of Directors and of the audit committees of both Schindler 
Holding AG and Swiss Life Holding AG, and a member of the Board of Directors and of the compensation and 
nomination committee of Huber & Suhner AG. Dr. Bütler is a Vice President of the Foundation Board of the 
Gebert Rüf Foundation, a science and innovation foundation that supports entrepreneurial projects which 
are committed to achieving an impact.

ALAN COLOWICK, M.D. DIRECTOR
Member of the Board: Since 2021

Alan Colowick is currently a Managing Director at Matrix Capital Management and has served in executive 
and Board roles for numerous large and emerging biotech companies. From 2017 until January 2021, he was 
a Partner at Sofinnova, where he led investments for several clinical-stage companies. Previously, Dr. 
Colowick was Executive Vice President and served in various leadership roles at Celgene Corporation, including 
President for Celgene’s EMEA regions and Senior Vice President of Global Medical Affairs.

CARL JUNE, M.D. DIRECTOR
Member of the Board: Since 2020

Carl  June is Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy, Director of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies 
and Director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at the Perelman School of Medicine at the 
University of Pennsylvania. Due to his lifelong work on lymphocyte activation, Prof. June is considered a world 
authority on mechanisms related to immune tolerance and adoptive immunotherapy in the fields of chronic 
inflammation and cancer. He and his team pioneered the groundbreaking work in immunotherapy in which 
patients with refractory and relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia are treated with genetically engineered 
versions of their own T cells. This CAR-T therapy approach, which trains the immune system to attack and destroy 
cancer cells, has opened a new era of innovative treatments and personalized medicine for cancer patients.

MONICA SHAW, M.D. DIRECTOR
Member of the Board: Since 2021

Monica Shaw is a pharmaceutical industry expert who has held senior leadership positions and was involved 
in advancing more than 15 therapeutic products from first-in-man studies through regulatory approvals and 
commercialization across multiple geographies. She also played key business development roles in company 
acquisition and integration and co-development partnerships. Through her work, Dr. Shaw gained extensive 
specialty experience in the fields of dermatology, immuno-inflammation, HIV, neurology and oncology.

ROY E. TWYMAN, M.D. DIRECTOR
Member of the Board: Since 2019
Member of the Compensation, Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee: Since 2021

Roy Twyman is a Neurologist and is founder and current CEO of Amron Neuroscience, LLC, a private 
consulting company focused on neuroscience drug development. Prior to this, Dr. Twyman spent almost 20 
years at Janssen Research & Development, LLC (a Johnson & Johnson company) and was a member of the 
Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Leadership team responsible for clinical R&D and strategic planning of CNS 
neurology and psychiatry pipeline products. From 2012 to March 2018, Dr. Twyman was a Senior Vice 
President in the Neuroscience Therapeutic Area overseeing the Alzheimer’s Disease Area.

THOMAS GRANEY DIRECTOR
Member of the Board: Since 2016
Member of the Audit and Finance Committee: Since 2016
Member of the Compensation, Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee: Since 2016

Thomas Graney is currently the CEO, CFO, and member of the Board of Directors of Oxurion NV. Prior to Oxurion, 
he was CFO of Generation Bio, Senior Vice President and CFO at Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. and CFO and SVP 
of Finance & Corporate Strategy at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals. Prior to Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Graney 
spent 20 years working with J&J and its affiliates, serving for 4 years as worldwide VP of Finance and CFO 
of Ethicon.

WERNER LANTHALER, PH.D. DIRECTOR
Member of the Board: Since 2018
Member of the Audit and Finance Committee: Since 2018

Werner Lanthaler is the CEO of Evotec AG, a drug discovery alliance and development partnership company 
focused on rapidly progressing innovative product approaches with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology 
companies, academics, patient advocacy groups and venture capitalists. Since joining Evotec in 2009, 
Dr. Lanthaler has focused the company on collaborating with biotech and pharma companies and academia, 
supporting biotech innovation. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer at Intercell AG where he played 
a key role in many of that company’s major milestones.

36

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Executive Management

Executive Management  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

37

Executive  
Management

ANDREA PFEIFER, PH.D. COFOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Chief Executive Officer: Since 2003

Andrea Pfeifer co-founded AC Immune SA in 2003, successfully leading it to an IPO in 2016, since when she 
has served as a Director on the Board. Under her leadership, multiple transformative partnerships have been 
established with leading pharmaceutical companies, yielding a potential value of up to CHF 3.3 billion plus 
additional royalties. Before founding the Company, she was the Head of Nestlé Research Centre in Lausanne, 
Switzerland where she played a major role in connecting science and business.

MARIE KOSCO-VILBOIS, PH.D. CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER
Chief Scientific Officer: Since 2019

A U.S. citizen, Marie Kosco-Vilbois has extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and served as 
Chief Scientific Officer of Novimmune since 2005. Prior to joining Novimmune in 2002, Dr. Kosco-Vilbois was 
Head of Immunology and Preclinical Pharmacology at the Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute, a Senior 
Scientist and then Head of Immunology at the Glaxo Wellcome Research Institute in Geneva, and a Scientific 
Member of the Basel Institute for Immunology. During her career, she has taken numerous biologicals from 
discovery into preclinical studies and clinical development, most notably filing market applications of a 
biological for an orphan indication.

JOHANNES ROLF STREFFER, M.D. CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
Chief Medical Officer: Since 2021

Johannes Streffer joined AC Immune in January 2021 as Chief Medical Officer from UCB Biopharma SPRL where 
he was VP, Head of Translational Medicine Neuroscience. Prior to this he was a member of the Alzheimer 
Disease Area Leadership Team at Janssen R&D and the industrial lead for EMIF-AD, where 14 countries 
are combined to foster understanding of early biomarkers and change in the predementia AD spectrum. 
His recognized expertise and standing in the scientific and medical community provide an invaluable asset 
as we work to develop innovative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases based on our proprietary 
technology platforms.

CHRISTOPHER ROBERTS INTERIM CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, VP FINANCE
Vice President, Finance and Interim Chief Financial Officer: Since 2022

Christopher Roberts joined AC Immune in 2019 serving in various roles within the Company’s finance leadership 
team prior to his promotion in 2022. Previously, Mr. Roberts worked as a Senior Manager for Ernst & Young for 
more than 10 years and supported the AC Immune IPO. During that time, he served high-growth life science 
companies in Switzerland, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the UK, focusing on initial and follow-on offerings, 
SEC reporting, and SOX 404 implementation projects. Mr. Roberts is a Trustee and Treasurer of Msizi Africa, 
a charity dedicated to sustainably improving the lives of children in Lesotho.

HOWARD DONOVAN CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER
Chief Human Resources Officer: Since 2022

Howard Donovan joined AC Immune in 2022 and is an internationally experienced, commercially focused leader 
who has competencies in all aspects of employee services, wellbeing, benefit design, international mobility, 
talent management, operations and HR business partnering. He has been at the World Economic Forum since 
2015, where he led People Services and was responsible for global reward, employee experience, people 
insights, strategic sourcing, new office launches, and business partnering with the Board of Directors across 
its locations in Switzerland, United States, China, Japan and India.

JEAN-FABIEN MONIN CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Chief Administrative Officer: Since 2015

Jean-Fabien Monin was nominated Chief Administrative Officer in July 2015 following his role as our Chief 
Financial Officer from March 2009 to July 2015. Prior to AC Immune, he held several positions during his tenure 
of 14 years at bioMérieux, a leading international in vitro diagnostics group, culminating in his nomination as 
Chief Financial Officer. His last position was CFO of bioMérieux Central Europe based in Vienna, Austria from 
December 2006 to March 2009.

PIERGIORGIO DONATI CHIEF TECHNICAL OPERATIONS OFFICER
Chief Technical Operations Officer: Since 2019

Piergiorgio Donati joined AC Immune in June 2018 as Director, Global Program Management, having previously 
worked for AC Immune from 2011 to 2015 as Head of Manufacturing and Project Management. Between 2015 
and 2018, Mr. Donati was Head of CMC program development at Glenmark Pharmaceuticals and Biotech CMC 
Lead at Merck KGaA. Prior to 2011, he held R&D positions at Abiogen, Merck Group and Serono.

38

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Directors and Executive Management Compensation Report

Directors and Executive Management Compensation Report  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

39

Directors and Executive Management  
Compensation Report

This compensation report of AC Immune SA (“AC Immune” or “Company”) has been prepared 
in accordance with the Federal Ordinance Against Excessive Compensation in Stock Exchange 
Listed Companies (the “Ordinance”), effective January 1, 2014.

1. Compensation of the Board of Directors
a. Board Composition in 2022 and 2021

Name

Douglas Williams, Ph.D.

Thomas Graney

Andrea Pfeifer, Ph.D.

Werner Lanthaler, Ph.D.

Roy Twyman, M.D.

Carl June, M.D.

Alan Colowick, M.D.

Monika Bütler, Ph.D.

Monica Shaw, M.D.

Martin Velasco

Peter Bollmann, Ph.D.

Appointment

2018

2016

2016

2018

2019

2020
20211
20212
20212
2003

2015

Board

Chair

Director 

Director – CEO

Director 

Director

Director
Director1
Director2
Director2
Vice-Chair3, 4
Director4

Audit and Finance 
Committee

Compensation, Nomination 
and Corporate Governance 
Committee

Member

Member

Chair2

Member4
Chair4

Chair

Member

Member

Member4

1  Appointed March 31, 2021
2  Appointed October 29, 2021
3  Chair from 2003 until June 28, 2019, Vice-Chair until October 29, 2021, position of Vice-Chair no longer exists, Honorary Chair from October 29, 2021. The Board may grant the title 
of Honorary Chair to an esteemed longstanding Chair who has resigned. The Honorary Chair is not a Board member and has no right or duties of Board member. He is not entitled 
to receive any fees

4  Retired October 29, 2021

Our Board of Directors is composed of eight directors, not 
including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Each director is 
elected for a one-year term. The current members of our Board 
of Directors were appointed at the shareholders’ meeting held 
on June 24, 2022 to serve until the 2023 shareholders’ meeting 
planned for June 2023.

Pursuant to the NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5615(a)(3), the 
Company follows Swiss rules in lieu of the NASDAQ exchange 
listing rules for rules regarding the compensation, nomination and 
corporate governance committee, independent director oversight 
of executive officer compensation, majority independent board 
representation and the establishment of, or amendments to, 
equity-based compensation plans for employees. Swiss law does 
not require that a majority of our Board of Directors consists of 
independent directors. Taking into account all applicable 
committee independence standards, Douglas Williams, Thomas 
Graney, Werner Lanthaler, Roy Twyman, Carl June, Alan Colowick, 
Monika Bütler and Monica Shaw are “independent directors.” 

Peter Bollmann, and Martin Velasco were deemed “independent” 
during their tenures as members of our Board of Directors. 
In making such determination, our Board of Directors considered 
the relationships that each non-employee director has with us 
and all other facts and circumstances our Board of Directors 
deemed relevant in determining the director’s independence, 
including the number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by 
the director and his or her affiliated entities, if any.

b. Compensation Structure
Board members are paid a fixed fee dependent on the function 
exercised. Such fees have been determined in alignment with 
market practice. In addition to the fixed fee, board members are 
awarded equity instruments under the Company’s equity incentive 
plans as described within the section “Equity Incentive Plans” 
of this report. 

Since July 2022, annual fixed fees, net of social charges, totaled, and were paid semi-annually, in Swiss Francs (CHF) as follows: 

Board of Directors

Compensation, Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee

Audit and Finance Committee

Chair
CHF ‘000

Member
CHF ‘000

87

15

15

54

10

10

c. 2022 and 2021 Board Compensation
In 2022 and 2021, the total compensation of the members of the Board of Directors consists of board fees, social charges and 
compensation paid in the form of equity instruments and is outlined below:

2022

Name

Douglas Williams, Ph.D.

Thomas Graney
Andrea Pfeifer, Ph.D.1
Werner Lanthaler, Ph.D.

Roy Twyman, M.D.

Carl June, M.D.

Alan Colowick, M.D.

Monika Bütler, Ph.D.

Monica Shaw, M.D.

Martin Velasco

Peter Bollmann, Ph.D. 

Total 2022

2021

Name

Douglas Williams, Ph.D.

Thomas Graney
Andrea Pfeifer, Ph.D.1
Werner Lanthaler, Ph.D.

Roy Twyman, M.D.

Carl June, M.D.

Alan Colowick, M.D.

Monika Bütler, Ph.D.

Monica Shaw, M.D.

Martin Velasco

Peter Bollmann, Ph.D.

Total 2021

Gross Cash 
Compensation
CHF ‘000

FMV of Equity 
instruments 
granted2, 3
CHF ‘000

Total Annual
Compensation4
CHF ‘000

109

72

 —

66

64

54

54

72

58

 —

 —

549

85

70

 —

70

70

70

70

136

136

 —

 —

707

194

142

 —

136

134

124

124

208

194

 —

 —

1,256

Gross Cash 
Compensation
CHF ‘000

109

70

 —

64

56

54

41

12

10

75

57

548

FMV of Equity 
instruments 
granted2, 3
CHF ‘000

Total Annual
Compensation4
CHF ‘000

82

66

 —

66

66

66

132

43

43

74

66

704

191

136

 —

130

122

120

173

55

53

149

123

1,252

1  There is no compensation for board participation; compensation for Andrea Pfeifer, CEO, is included in section 2c below
2  Stock options were granted in 2021 and a mixture of stock options and restricted share units (RSUs) in 2022. These awards are further described in Section 3 below. We estimate 
the fair value of RSUs using a reasonable estimate of market value of the common shares on the date of the award. Stock options granted are valued using the Black-Scholes model

3  Fair market value (FMV) excludes Swiss social security contributions since such contributions are only due if and when the equity instrument is exercised
4  AC Immune also paid contributions to the social security system, which amounted to CHF 28 thousand and CHF 26 thousand in 2022 and 2021, respectively

40

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Directors and Executive Management Compensation Report

Directors and Executive Management Compensation Report  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

41

Directors and Executive Management 
Compensation Report
continued

1. Compensation of the Board of Directors continued
d. Loans to Board Members, payments to former members of the Board of Directors and payments to Related Parties 
of Members of the Board of Directors
For the years ending December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company granted no loans to current or former members of the Board of 
Directors. Additionally, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, no such loans or credit payments existed to current or former members 
of the Board of Directors, or to related parties of current or former members of the Board of Directors.

For the years ending December 31, 2022 and 2021, no disclosable compensation was paid to related parties of current or former 
members of the Board of Directors.

2. Compensation for Members of Executive Management 
a. Executive Management Composition in 2022 and 2021

Name

Function

Andrea Pfeifer, Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer

Jean-Fabien Monin
Joerg Hornstein1
Marie Kosco-Vilbois, Ph.D. 

Chief Administrative Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Scientific Officer

Piergiorgio Donati
Johannes Streffer; M.D.2
Howard Donovan3
Christopher Roberts4

Chief Technical Operations Officer

Chief Medical Officer

Chief Human Resources Officer

Vice President Finance, Interim Chief Financial Officer

1  Until departure on July 31, 2022
2  Appointed on January 11, 2021
3  Appointed on July 1, 2022
4  With an effective date of August 1, 2022

Appointment

2003

2009

2017

2019

2019

2021

2022

2022

b. Executive Compensation Principles
Each member of the Executive Management receives remuneration consisting of a base salary, incentive plan, social benefits, as 
well as an equity incentive plan. These are more fully described in the Compensation Philosophy, Principles and Governance section 
of this report.

c. 2022 and 2021 Executive Compensation 
The total compensation of the Executive Management, including the CEO and the highest individual compensation of the members 
of the Executive Management for the years ending December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, are outlined below:

2022

Name

Andrea Pfeifer, Ph.D.

Total Executive Management Compensation 

2021

Name

Andrea Pfeifer, Ph.D.

Total Executive Management Compensation

Cash
Compensation
CHF ‘000

Other
Compensation
CHF ‘000

Pension
(employer)
CHF ‘000

558

2,343

28

84

78

295

Cash
Compensation
CHF ‘000

Other
Compensation
CHF ‘000

530

2,197

28

93

Pension
(employer)
CHF ‘000

75

266

Cash
Bonus
CHF ‘000

329

833

Cash
Bonus
CHF ‘000

465

1,198

Total1
CHF ‘000

Equity FMV2, 3, 4

CHF ‘000

993

3,555

575

1,255

Total1
CHF ‘000

Equity FMV2, 3, 4

CHF ‘000

1,098

3,754

1,150

3,128

1  AC Immune also paid the company-related portion of social security contributions for members and former members of the Executive Management in line with applicable laws where 
the executives are employed. This was an aggregate amount of CHF 349 thousand in 2022 and CHF 324 thousand in 2021, which includes the employer cost of accident and loss of 
salary through illness insurance. Additional employer social charges, related to the exercise of options were for an amount of nil and CHF 17 thousand in the aggregate for Executive 
Management in 2022 and 2021, respectively

2  Stock options were granted in 2021 and a mixture of stock options and RSUs were granted in 2022. These awards are further described in Section 3 below. Stock options awarded 
in 2021 will fully vest from 2021 through 2025. Stock options and RSUs awarded in 2022 will fully vest from 2022 to 2025. We estimate the fair value of RSUs using a reasonable 
estimate of market value of the common shares on the date of the award. Stock options granted are valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model
3  Fair market value (FMV) excludes Swiss social security contributions since such contributions are only due if and when the equity instrument is exercised
4  Equity granted in June 2022 was for a period of six months from July 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. This period represented a “transition” period to align the compensation 

architecture with a calendar year basis commencing in January 2023

d. Loans, Severance or other Compensation Paid to Members or Former Members of the Executive Management
For the years ending December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company granted no loans, and no severance payments were made, nor 
other compensation paid or promised to current or former members of the Executive Management. Additionally, as of December 31, 
2022 and 2021, no such loans nor credit payments existed to current or former members of the Executive Management, or to related 
parties of current or former members of the Executive Management. 

For the years ending December 31, 2022 and 2021, no disclosable compensation was paid to related parties of current or former 
members of the Executive Management.

42

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Directors and Executive Management Compensation Report

Directors and Executive Management Compensation Report  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

43

Directors and Executive Management 
Compensation Report
continued

3. Equity Incentive Plans of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management
Board of Directors and Executive Management Equity Incentive Plan Summary
The Members of the Board of Directors and Executive Management held the following equity instruments, as outlined in the 
following two tables, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:

Investments held by members of the Board of Directors1
2022

Name

Douglas Williams, Ph.D.

Thomas Graney

Werner Lanthaler, Ph.D.

Roy Twyman, M.D.

Carl June, M.D.

Alan Colowick, M.D.

Monika Bütler, Ph. D.

Monica Shaw, M. D.

Total 2022

2021

Name

Douglas Williams, Ph.D.

Thomas Graney

Werner Lanthaler, Ph.D.

Roy Twyman, M.D.

Carl June, M.D.

Alan Colowick, M.D.

Monika Bütler, Ph. D.

Monica Shaw, M. D.

Total 2021

Function

Chair

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Function

Chair

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Number of
Shares

 —

4,023

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

Number of
Options –
 Vested4

Number of
Options – 
Unvested3, 4

Number of
Restricted
Share Units –
Vested2

Number of
Restricted
Share Units –
Unvested2

58,803

47,329

47,329

65,511

37,826

20,511

25,310

25,310

28,177

23,204

23,204

23,204

29,694

31,553

45,204

45,204

12,818

11,828

11,906

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

11,111

9,150

9,150

9,150

9,150

9,150

9,150

9,150

4,023

327,929

249,444

36,552

75,161

Number of
Options – 
Vested4

Number of
Options –
 Unvested3, 4

Number of
Restricted
Share Units –
Vested2 

Number of
Restricted
Share Units –
Unvested2

Number of
Shares

 —

4,023

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

42,819

34,464

34,464

46,585

18,472

3,471

 —

 —

15,984

12,865

12,865

18,926

25,844

25,389

14,310

14,310

12,818

11,828

11,906

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

4,023

180,275

140,493

36,552

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

1  Excluding Andrea Pfeifer, CEO, whose holdings are listed under Executive Management
2  Each RSU granted entitles the Grantee an equivalent number of common shares of the Company. The settlement and delivery of shares occurs upon payment of the nominal value 

of the vested Restricted Share Unit

3  Stock options awarded in 2021 will fully vest from 2022 through 2024; Stock options awarded in 2022 will fully vest from 2023 through 2025
4  Each stock option award entitles the Grantee the right and option to purchase all or any part of the number of common shares of the Company, equivalent to the number of stock 

options exercised

Investments held by members of the Executive Management
2022

Name

Function

Andrea Pfeifer, Ph.D.1
Marie Kosco-Vilbois, Ph.D. Chief Scientific Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Joerg Hornstein

Chief Financial Officer 

Jean-Fabien Monin 

Chief Administrative Officer

Piergiorgio Donati

Chief Technical Operations Officer

Johannes Streffer, M.D. 

Chief Medical Officer

Howard Donovan

Chief Human Resources Officer

Christopher Roberts

Vice President Finance, 
Interim Chief Financial Officer

Number of
Shares

2,303,420

64,365

 —

292,411

4,500

181,212

 —

2,500

Number of 
Options –
Vested2

Number of 
Options –
Unvested

533,404

106,420

455,586

69,730

79,307

48,079

3,750

10,800

399,286

148,421

 —

51,762

54,290

121,798

18,750

18,000

Number of 
Restricted
Share Units –
Vested3

29,662

 —

 —

2,297

1,601

5,446

1,634

 —

Number of 
Restricted
Share Units –
Unvested

62,636

27,778

 —

7,500

8,007

27,234

8,170

 —

2,848,408

1,307,076

812,307

40,640

141,325

Total 2022

2021

Name

Function

Andrea Pfeifer, Ph.D.1
Marie Kosco-Vilbois, Ph.D. Chief Scientific Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Joerg Hornstein

Chief Financial Officer 

Jean-Fabien Monin 

Chief Administrative Officer

Piergiorgio Donati

Chief Technical Operations Officer

Johannes Streffer, M.D. 

Chief Medical Officer

Number of
Shares

2,303,420

64,365

 —

292,411

4,500

14,200

Number of 
Options –
Vested2

Number of 
Options –
Unvested

305,508

31,931

371,029

41,679

47,745

11,860

454,682

159,160

279,594

59,158

63,802

83,017

Number of 
Restricted
Share Units –
Vested3

17,135

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

Number of 
Restricted
Share Units –
Unvested

 —

 —

 —

797

 —

 —

797

Total 2021

2,678,896

809,752

1,099,413

17,135

1  A portion of the shares correspond to pre-IPO preferred shares that were acquired directly by the member through the Company’s successive financial rounds (Series A, B, C and D), 

and were not granted as equity 

2  Each stock option award entitles the Grantee the right and option to purchase all or any part of the number of common shares of the Company, equivalent to the number of stock 

options exercised

3  Each RSU entitles the Grantee an equivalent number of common shares of the Company. The settlement and delivery of shares shall only occur upon payment of the settlement 

price of the RSU

Compensation of Current and Former Members of the Board and Executive Management
In connection with RSUs settled and options exercised in 2022 and 2021 by current and former members of the Board and 
Executive Management, AC Immune paid social contributions, in accordance with applicable laws, on the gain resulting from the 
difference in exercise price and fair value of the shares at the time of the exercise. With regard to the former Board and Executive 
Management members, AC Immune paid a total of nil in 2022 and 2021, respectively. With regard to the current Board and 
Executive Management members, AC Immune paid a total of nil and CHF 17 thousand in 2022 and 2021, respectively.

44

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Directors and Executive Management Compensation Report

Directors and Executive Management Compensation Report  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

45

Directors and Executive Management 
Compensation Report
continued

3. Equity Incentive Plans continued
Compensation Philosophy, Principles and Governance
AC Immune SA is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company 
leveraging our two proprietary technology platforms to discover, 
design and develop novel proprietary medicines and diagnostics 
for prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases 
(NDD) associated with protein misfolding. Misfolded proteins 
are generally recognized as the leading cause of NDD, such as 
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), with 
common mechanisms and drug targets, such as amyloid beta 
(Abeta), Tau, alpha-synuclein (a-syn) and TDP 43. Our corporate 
strategy is founded upon a three-pillar approach that targets 
(i) AD, (ii) focused non-AD NDD including Parkinson’s disease, 
ALS and NeuroOrphan indications and (iii) diagnostics. We use 
our two unique proprietary platform technologies, SupraAntigen 
(conformation-specific biologics) and Morphomer (conformation-
specific small molecules), to discover, design and develop novel 
medicines and diagnostics to target misfolded proteins.

AC Immune’s compensation policy is designed to attract, motivate 
and retain talent in order to support the achievement of the 
Company’s financial and strategic objectives. The policy further 
aims at ensuring a fair and competitive compensation package. 
The Board believes that by combining short- and long-term 
incentive elements, the compensation system helps to align the 
interests of the members of the Board and Executive Management 
with the interests of the Company and its shareholders. In addition, 
compensation elements are focused on rewarding the delivery 
of outstanding and sustainable results without inappropriate 
risk-taking.

In 2022 and 2021, the Company engaged a reputable 
compensation and performance expert firm to benchmark the 
compensation level and structure for the members of the Board 
and Executive Management. The analysis included compensation 
data of the comparable pharmaceutical and biotechnology 
companies, including several U.S.-based companies. The Board 
concluded that adjustments to the compensation were required 
in order for AC Immune to remain a competitive employer.

Method of Determining Compensation
The Role and Powers of the Compensation, Nomination 
and Corporate Governance Committee (CNC)
The CNC consists of three members, who are appointed at the 
Annual General Meeting (AGM), or in case of vacancies, the 
Board of Director’s may appoint substitutes from amongst its 
members for the remaining term of office. The committee 
enacts its own charter.

Compensation Guidelines:
The CNC recommends guidelines for the compensation of the 
members of the Board of Directors, the CEO and the Executive 
Management, and submits these recommendations to the 
Board of Directors for approval.

The CNC provides an overall package for near- and long-term 
compensation, including variable compensation, that 
(i) is designed to attract, motivate and retain persons with the 
necessary skills and character, (ii) is consistent with market 
conditions, and in the case of variable compensation, consistent 
with the Company’s and individual’s performance, and (iii) aligns 
the interests of the members of the Board of Directors and the 
Executive Management with the interests of the Company. 
The CNC also periodically reviews the Company’s compensation 
policies for its employees who are not members of the 
Executive Management.

The CNC meets at least four times per year and informs the 
Board of Directors of its recommendations and resolutions after 
each meeting.

Approval of Compensation by the Annual General Meeting
Swiss law requires a binding approval of the maximum 
compensation for the Board and the Executive Management. 
Under the current system, approved by the shareholders on 
June 25, 2021, and effective from the AGM held on June 24, 2022, 
shareholders approve annually and separately the proposals of the 
Board of Directors in relation to the maximum aggregate amount of: 

1)  the compensation of the Board of Directors for the period until 

the next AGM; and

2)  the compensation of the Executive Committee for the following 

financial year.

In addition, this Compensation Report is subject to a non-binding, 
advisory vote at the upcoming AGM.

Art. 47 of the Articles of Association (AoA) contains transitional 
provisions and regulates the decisions that were taken in the 
2022 AGM, including:

1)  the non-performance-related compensation of the Executive 
Management for the 6-month transition period starting on 
July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022; 

2)  the grant of options, shares or other equity instruments in the 
Company to Executive Management for the same 6-month 
transition period; and

3)  the variable compensation for the Executive Management 

for the current year.

Until the AGM of June 25, 2021, shareholders separately approved 
the total maximum amounts proposed by the Board of Directors 
pursuant to Articles 32 and 33 of the AoA for:

1)  the non-performance-related compensation of the Board of 

Directors for the next term of office;

2)  a possible additional compensation of the Board of Directors 

for the preceding business year;

3)  the non-performance-related compensation of the Executive 

Management for the 12-month period starting on July 1 
following the AGM; 

4)  the variable compensation for the Executive Management 

for the current year; and

5)  the grant of options, shares or other equity instruments 

in the Company to the Board of Directors and the 
Executive Management.

If the AGM refuses to approve a respective motion by the Board of 
Directors, the Board of Directors may either submit a new motion 
at the same meeting or determine a maximum total remuneration 
or several maximum partial remunerations, subject to the relevant 
principles of the compensation, or submit a new motion to the 
next AGM for approval. The Company may remunerate within the 
framework of the maximum total or partial remuneration and 
subject to the approval by the AGM.

Compensation of the Board of Directors
The CNC reviews and proposes to the Board of Directors the 
resolution to be submitted to the AGM for the maximum total 
compensation of the Board of Directors. The CNC will also request 
approval by the Board of Directors of the individual compensation 
packages to be paid to members of the Board of Directors.

The compensation for members of the Board typically consists of:

1)  Annual cash compensation; and

2)  Annual grant of equity.

Both components do not depend on the achievement of corporate 
goals or the individual performance of a Board member. 
Additionally, the Company pays the employer’s social security 
contributions due on these amounts. Board members do not 
receive any variable compensation and do not participate in the 
Company’s pension plan.

Compensation of the Executive Management
The CNC evaluates the annual performance of the CEO and 
Executive Management team members and submits the 
evaluation to the Board of Directors for review and approval, 
during an executive session without the CEO or Executive 
Management team members being present.

Subject to and within the bounds of the maximum compensation 
approved by the AGM, the CNC reviews and recommends for 
approval by the Board of Directors the annual base salary, 
incentive compensation (bonus) and equity compensation of 
the CEO, and in consultation with the CEO, of the Executive 
Management, and the overall compensation of the CEO and the 
Executive Management. The CNC also requests approval by 
the Board of Directors regarding the determination of the 
compensation-related targets for the Executive Management 
and requests approval by the Board of Directors of the 
individual compensation packages to be paid to members of 
the Executive Management.

46

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Directors and Executive Management Compensation Report

Directors and Executive Management Compensation Report  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

47

Directors and Executive Management 
Compensation Report
continued

3. Equity Incentive Plans continued
Elements of Compensation for 2022 and 2021
Base Salary
Base salaries are competitive in order to attract, motivate and 
retain talented leaders with the necessary expertise, experience 
and leadership behaviors. The salary level is based on the scope 
of the role and market assessment as well as the jobholder profile 
in terms of experience and skills. The fixed compensation for 
Executive Management team members includes base salary, 
car allowance (where applicable) and payments to the pension 
fund by the Company. Base salaries are assessed annually by 
the CNC, taking into account individual performance and the 
results of the external benchmarking.

Bonus Plan
The CNC proposes to the Board of Directors an incentive bonus 
plan providing for variable remuneration of the members of the 
Executive Management based on the achievement of the 
Company’s corporate goals, as well as their individual 
performance. The CNC reviews and approves any necessary 
changes to such plan that are proposed by the CEO. The CNC 
reviews and approves any employment contracts, separation 
agreements, or other agreements that the Company proposes 
to enter into with any present, future or former members of the 
Executive Management team, ensuring that the key terms of all 
contracts are submitted for the approval of the Board of Directors 
and are within the limits of the maximum compensation approved 
by the AGM. 

The annual cash bonus for 2022 and 2021 was based on the 
achievement of Company and individual goals. The target bonus 
(i.e. cash bonus to be paid if 100% of corporate and individual 
objectives are met) is determined individually for each member 
of the Executive Management as a fixed amount, ranging from 
20% to 69% of their base salary (28% to 69% in 2021), with a 
median 29%. According to the external benchmarking, target 
bonuses for most members of executive management continue 
to be in the low range of the peer group. The 2022 corporate 
goals included: (i) fulfilment of various R&D milestones for 
several preclinical and clinical programs; (ii) establish business 
opportunities for specific preclinical and clinical programs. 
The 2021 corporate goals included: (i) fulfillment of various R&D 
milestones and (ii) advancement of several R&D preclinical and 
clinical programs. 

The weightings of the corporate and individual goals are defined 
for each executive management member and vary depending on 
the position. In general, the higher the position of an employee, 
the more weight is put on the achievement of corporate goals 
rather than on individual goals. The Board determined that the 
actual target achievement of the 2022 and 2021 corporate goals 
was 90% and 100%, respectively. 

Pension Plan and Social Charges
Pension Plan
The Company participates in a collective foundation covering 
all of its employees including its Executive Management team. 
In addition to retirement benefits, the plan provides death or 
long-term disability benefits. Contributions paid to the plan are 
computed as a percentage of salary, adjusted for the age of the 
employee and shared approximately 47% (47% in 2021) and 53% 
(53% in 2021) by employee and employer, respectively. This plan 
is governed by the Swiss Law on Occupational Retirement, 
Survivors and Disability Pension Plans (BVG), which requires 
contributions to be made to a separately administered fund. 
The fund has the legal form of a foundation, and it is governed 
by the Board of Trustees, which consists of an equal number of 
employer and employee representatives. The Board of Trustees 
is responsible for the administration of the plan assets and for 
the definition of the investment strategy.

Social Security Contributions
The Company pays old age and survivors’ insurance (AHV), 
Disability insurance (IV), and Income replacement scheme (EO) 
as required by Swiss Federal law.

Equity Incentive Plans
Current Plan
The 2016 Option and Incentive Plan as amended and restated as 
of October 7, 2019 (the “2016 Plan,” or “SOIP”) was established 
for the officers, employees, non-employee directors and 
consultants of the Company. In June 2019, the Board authorized, 
and the shareholders approved, an increase in the maximum 
number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2016 Plan. 
In October 2019, the Board authorized a second amendment 
and restatement to the 2016 Plan to align certain elements with 
Swiss statutory requirements that had no financial impact for 
the Company in 2019. The 2016 Plan provides for a variety of 

The options granted under Plan C1 vested over a four-year period 
with 25% of these options vesting each year. The options granted 
under our current SOIP have vesting conditions which are 
determined by the administrator at the time of grant and are 
specified in the applicable award certificate.

Our Board of Directors has the authority to amend each of the 
Prior Plans.

Other
Employment Contracts
The Executive Management team members are employed with 
contractual agreements that have an unlimited duration with a 
notice period of twelve months for each of the Chief Executive 
Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Administrative 
Officer, Chief Technical Operations Officer and Chief Medical 
Officer. The notice period for the Chief Scientific Officer is six 
months, and for the Vice President Finance, Interim Chief 
Financial Officer is three months. Executive members are not 
contractually entitled to termination payments, although they 
can retain the vested portions of the stock options.

award types, including stock options, restricted share awards, 
restricted share units, unrestricted share awards, and 
performance-based awards. Vesting and performance-based 
conditions vary by grant and are determined by the plan 
administrator, which is the CNC, or the CEO under specified 
delegation limitations granted by the Board of Directors. Although 
option awards with an “Exercise Price” are determined at the 
time of grant by the plan administrator, they are not less than 
100% of the fair market value at the grant date. Further, awards 
with an “Option Term” may not exceed 10 years. The 2022 and 
2021 awards that were granted to members of the Executive 
Management team and Board of Directors are disclosed in 
Section 3 of this report. According to the external benchmarking, 
the equity awards continued to be in the lower range of the 
peer group.

2016 Option and Incentive Plans
Directors and Executive Consideration
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021, we 
granted our directors and executive management, in the 
aggregate, options for the right to acquire 633,063 and 745,762 
shares, respectively at an exercise price ranging from USD 2.76 
to USD 3.15 per share in 2022 and ranging from USD 5.31 to 
USD 7.23 per share in 2021. In 2022, we also granted restricted 
share units for the right to 239,196 shares, with a market price 
of USD 3.15. Directors who were appointed in October 2021, 
received an initial option award in 2022 which vests over a 
three-year period with vesting to occur annually. Options 
granted annually to directors vest at the end of a one-year 
period. Commencing in 2022, options and restricted share units 
that were granted to executive management vest fully over a 
three-year period (previously over a four-year period) with equal 
tranches of vesting occurring quarterly or bi-annually.

Prior Plans
Since our inception in 2003, we have had four separate Prior 
Plans under which stock options were granted (Prior Plans A, B 
and C2 have terminated): Options granted under Plan C1 from 
2013 through the adoption of the current SOIP were taxed upon 
exercise instead of at grant due to a change in taxation rules.

48

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Statutory Auditor’s Report

Statutory Auditor’s Report  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

49

Statutory  
Auditor’s Report
to the General Meeting of AC Immune SA  
Ecublens

Report on the audit of the compensation report
Opinion
We have audited the compensation report of AC Immune SA 
(the Company) for the year ended December 31, 2022. The 
audit was limited to the information on remuneration, loans and 
advances pursuant to Art. 14 to 16 of the Ordinance against 
Excessive Remuneration in Listed Companies Limited by Shares 
(Ordinance) in the tables 1.c., 2.c. and 3 and the information in 
sections 1.b. and 3 of the compensation report.

In our opinion, the information on remuneration, loans and 
advances in the compensation report (pages 38 to 47) complies 
with Swiss law and article 14 to 16 of the Ordinance.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Swiss law and 
Swiss Standards on Auditing (SA-CH). Our responsibilities under 
those provisions and standards are further described in the 
‘Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the compensation 
report’ section of our report. We are independent of the 
Company in accordance with the provisions of Swiss law and 
the requirements of the Swiss audit profession, and we have 
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with 
these requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient 
and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Other information
The Board of Directors is responsible for the other information. 
The other information comprises the information included in 
the annual report, but does not include the tables 1.c., 2.c. and 3 
and the information in sections 1.b. and 3 in the compensation 
report, the consolidated financial statements, the financial 
statements and our auditor’s reports thereon.

Our opinion on the compensation report does not cover the 
other information and we do not express any form of assurance 
conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the compensation report, our 
responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent 
with the audited financial information in the compensation 
report or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise 
appears to be materially misstated.

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that 
there is a material misstatement of this other information, 
we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in 
this regard. 

Board of Directors’ responsibilities for the 
compensation report
The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of a 
compensation report in accordance with the provisions of Swiss 
law and the company’s articles of incorporation, and for such 
internal control as the Board of Directors determines is necessary 
to enable the preparation of a compensation report that is free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. The Board 
of Directors is also responsible for designing the remuneration 
system and defining individual remuneration packages. 

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the 
compensation report
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
the information on remuneration, loans and advances pursuant 
to article 14 to 16 of the Ordinance is free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an 
auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance 
is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit 
conducted in accordance with Swiss law and SA-CH will always 
detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements 
can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, 
individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be 
expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken 
on the basis of this compensation report.

As part of an audit in accordance with Swiss law and SA-CH, we 
exercise professional judgment and maintain professional 
scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

 ² Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement in the 
compensation report, whether due to fraud or error, design 
and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and 
obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to 
provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a 
material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for 
one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, 
forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the 
override of internal control.

 ² Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the 

audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate 
in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing 
an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal 
control.

 ² Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used 

and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related 
disclosures made.

We communicate with the Board of Directors or its relevant 
committee regarding, among other matters, the planned scope 
and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including 
any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify 
during our audit.

We also provide the Board of Directors or its relevant committee 
with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical 
requirements regarding independence, and communicate with 
them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be 
thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, 
actions taken to eliminate threats or safeguards applied.

PricewaterhouseCoopers SA
/s/ Michael Foley
Licensed audit expert
Auditor in charge
Lausanne, March 16, 2023

/s/ Alex Fuhrer
Licensed audit expert

50

AC Immune Annual Report 2022  

  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

51

Financial  
Statements

52

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss)  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

53

Consolidated  
Balance Sheets
as of December 31,

Consolidated Statements of  
Income/(Loss)
for the year ended December 31,

Revenue

Contract revenue 

Total revenue

Operating expenses

Research & development expenses

General & administrative expenses

Other operating income/(expense), net

Total operating expenses

Operating loss

Financial income

Financial expense

Exchange differences

Finance result, net

Loss before tax

Income tax expense 

Loss for the period

Loss per share (CHF):

Basic and diluted loss for the period attributable to equity holders

Note

13

14

14

13.2

14

14

14

16

20

2022
CHF ‘000

2021
CHF ‘000

2020
CHF ‘000

 3,935

 3,935

 —

 —

 15,431

 15,431

 (60,336)

 (15,789)

 1,343

 (74,782)

 (70,847)

 69

 (355)

 393

 107

 (62,282)

 (17,910)

 1,182

 (79,010)

 (79,010)

 6,485

 (581)

 113

 6,017

 (59,487)

 (18,557)

 1,353

 (76,691)

 (61,260)

 78

 (184)

 (555)

 (661)

 (70,740)

 (72,993)

 (61,921)

 (13)

 (3)

 —

 (70,753)

 (72,996)

 (61,921)

 (0.85)

 (0.97)

 (0.86)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Assets

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Right-of-use assets

Intangible asset

Long-term financial assets 

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Prepaid expenses 

Accrued income

Other current receivables 

Short-term financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total current assets

Total assets 

Shareholders’ equity and liabilities

Shareholders’ equity

Share capital 

Share premium 

Treasury shares

Currency translation differences

Accumulated losses 

Total shareholders’ equity

Non-current liabilities

Long-term lease liabilities

Net employee defined benefit liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Accrued expenses

Deferred income

Short-term lease liabilities

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Note

4

5

6/7

5

9

9/13

10

8

8

11

11

11

5

17

12

12

13

5

2022
CHF ‘000

2021
CHF ‘000

 4,259

 2,808

 50,416

 361

 57,844

 4,708

 408

 392

 91,000

 31,586

 128,094

 185,938

 5,116

 2,914

 50,416

 363

 58,809

 3,015

 975

 428

 116,000

 82,216

 202,634

 261,443

 1,797

 431,323

 (124)

 10

 (264,015)

 168,991

 1,794

 431,251

 (124)

 —

 (200,942)

 231,979

 2,253

 3,213

 5,466

 929

 9,417

 587

 548

 11,481

 16,947

 2,340

 7,098

 9,438

 2,003

 16,736

 717

 570

 20,026

 29,464

Total shareholders’ equity and liabilities

 185,938

 261,443

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
 
54

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

55

Consolidated Statements of  
Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
for the year ended December 31,

Consolidated Statements of  
Changes in Equity
for the year ended December 31,

Loss for the period 

Items that may be reclassified to income or loss  
in subsequent periods (net of tax):

Currency translation differences

Items that will not to be reclassified to income or loss  
in subsequent periods (net of tax):

Remeasurement gains on defined-benefit plans (net of tax)

 17

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive loss, net of tax 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Note

2022
CHF ‘000

 (70,753)

2021
CHF ‘000

 (72,996)

2020
CHF ‘000

 (61,921)

Note

Share
capital
CHF ‘000

 1,437

Share
premium
CHF ‘000

 346,526

Treasury
shares
CHF ‘000

Accumulated
losses
CHF ‘000

Currency 
translation 
differences
CHF ‘000

 10

 —

 —

 4,426

 4,436

 956

 956

 726

 726

 (66,317)

 (72,040)

 (61,195)

Balance as of January 1, 2020

Net loss for the period

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive loss

Share-based payments

Issuance of shares,  
net of transaction costs:

Held as treasury shares

Restricted share awards

Exercise of options

Balance as of December 31, 2020

Balance as of January 1, 2021

Net loss for the period

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive loss

Share-based payments

Proceeds from sale of treasury shares 
in public offerings, net of underwriting 
fees and transaction costs

Issuance of shares,  
net of transaction costs:

IPR&D asset purchase

Asset acquisition – common shares

Conversion note agreements

Held as treasury shares

Restricted share awards

Exercise of options

17

18

11

18

18

17

18

11

6/11

6/11

11

11

18

18

 —

 —

 —

 —

 100

 —

 1

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 222

 142

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 (100)

 —

 —

 (75,521)

 (61,921)

 726

 (61,195)

 4,088

 —

 (222)

 —

 1,538

 346,890

 (100)

 (132,850)

 1,538

 346,890

 (100)

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 130

 12

 61

 48

 1

 4

 —

 —

 —

 —

 12,097

 49,741

 4,587

 16,683

 —

 171

 1,082

 —

 —

 —

 —

 24

 —

 —

 —

 (48)

 —

 —

 (132,850)

 (72,996)

 956

 (72,040)

 4,126

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 (178)

 —

Balance as of December 31, 2021

 1,794

 431,251

 (124)

 (200,942)

Balance as of January 1, 2022

Net loss for the period

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive loss

Share-based payments

Proceeds from sale of treasury shares 
in public offerings, net of underwriting 
fees and transaction costs

Issuance of shares,  
net of transaction costs:

Restricted share awards

Exercise of options

17

18

11

18

18

 1,794

 431,251

 (124)

 (200,942)

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 0

 3

 —

 —

 —

 —

 (8)

 76

 4

 —

 —

 —

 —

 0

 —

 —

 (70,753)

 4,426

 (66,327)

 3,330

 —

 (76)

 —

Balance as of December 31, 2022

 1,797

 431,323

 (124)

 (264,015)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Total
CHF ‘000

 272,442

 (61,921)

 726

 (61,195)

 4,088

 —

 —

 143

 215,478

 215,478

 (72,996)

 956

 (72,040)

 4,126

 12,121

 —

 49,871

 4,599

 16,744

 —

 (6)

 1,086

 231,979

 231,979

 (70,753)

 4,436

 (66,317)

 3,330

 (8)

 0

 7

 168,991

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 10

 10

 —

 —

 —

 —

 10

56

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

57

Note

2022
CHF ‘000

2021
CHF ‘000

2020
CHF ‘000

 (70,753)

 (72,996)

 (61,921)

Exchange gain/(loss) on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

Supplemental non-cash activity

Capital expenditures in Trade and other payables or Accrued expenses

Issuance of shares for purchase of IPR&D asset in asset acquisition

Transaction costs associated with issuance of shares in relation to the asset 
acquisition recorded in Accrued expenses

Settlement of convertible notes recorded within Shareholders’ equity

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Note

4

6/7

6

11

2022
CHF ‘000

 82,216

 521

 31,586

 (51,151)

 —

 —

 —

 —

2021
CHF ‘000

 160,893

 (70)

 82,216

 (78,607)

 303

 50,416

 776

 16,920

2020
CHF ‘000

 193,587

 (703)

 160,893

 (31,991)

 328

 —

 —

 —

Consolidated Statements of  
Cash Flows
for the year ended December 31,

Operating activities

Loss for the period

Adjustments to reconcile net loss for the period to net cash flows:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

Finance (income)/expense, net

Share-based compensation expense

Change in net employee defined benefit liability

Interest expense 

(Gain)/loss on sale of fixed assets

Changes in working capital:

(Increase)/decrease in prepaid expenses

Decrease/(increase) in accrued income

Decrease/(increase) in other current receivables

(Decrease)/increase in accrued expenses

(Decrease)/increase in deferred income

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

Cash used in operating activities

Interest received

Interest paid

Finance expenses paid

Net cash flows used in operating activities

Investing activities

Short-term financial assets, net

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

Rental deposits

Net cash flows provided by/(used in) investing activities

Financing activities

Proceeds from issuance of convertible loan

Transaction costs on issuance of shares

Proceeds from sale of treasury shares in public offerings, net of underwriting fees and 
transaction costs

Proceeds from issuance of treasury shares, net of underwriting fees and transaction costs

Proceeds from issuance of common shares – asset acquisition, net of transaction costs

Proceeds from issuance of common shares – option plan, net of transaction costs

Principal payments of lease obligations

Transaction costs associated with issuance of shares in relation to asset acquisition 
previously recorded in Accrued expenses

Repayment of short-term financing obligation

Payment for the issuance of treasury shares

4

5

14

18

17

5/14

9

9

10

12

13

12

14

5/14

14

8

4

4

5

11

11

11

11

11

11

5

12

11

 1,793

 566

 (559)

 3,330

 541

 355

 —

 (1,718)

 567

 36

 (6,114)

 (130)

 (1,073)

 1,897

 509

 (6,769)

 4,126

 590

 573

 13

 791

 594

 (99)

 5,214

 425

 (84)

 1,535

 432

 376

 4,088

 705

 175

 (64)

 (1,304)

 (507)

 (25)

 (757)

 (4,157)

 2,177

 (73,159)

 (65,216)

 (59,247)

 69

 (470)

 (8)

 —

 (465)

 (8)

 78

 (339)

 (9)

 (73,568)

 (65,689)

 (59,517)

 25,000

 (1,239)

 —

 2

 (51,000)

 (2,635)

 —

 (29)

 30,000

 (1,706)

 64

 (29)

 23,763

 (53,664)

 28,329

 —

 —

  (8)

 —

 —

 7

 (569)

 (776)

 —

 —

 23,463

 (6)

 —

 12,121

 4,599

 1,082

 (513)

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 100

 —

 143

 (432)

 —

 (514)

 (100)

 (803)

Net cash flows (used in)/provided by financing activities

 (1,346)

 40,746

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 (51,151)

 (78,607)

 (31,991)

58

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

59

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
(In CHF thousands except for share and per share data)

1. General information
AC Immune SA was founded in 2003. The Company controls a 
fully-owned subsidiary, AC Immune USA, Inc. (“AC Immune USA” 
or “Subsidiary” and, together with AC Immune SA, “AC Immune,” 
“ACIU,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “us”), which was registered 
and organized under the laws of Delaware, USA in June 2021. 
The Company and its Subsidiary form the Group.

AC Immune SA is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company 
leveraging our two proprietary technology platforms to discover, 
design and develop novel proprietary medicines and diagnostics 
for prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases 
(NDD) associated with protein misfolding. Misfolded proteins 
are generally recognized as the leading cause of NDD, such as 
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), with 
common mechanisms and drug targets, such as amyloid beta 
(Abeta), Tau, alpha-synuclein (a-syn) and TDP-43. Our corporate 
strategy is founded upon a three-pillar approach that targets 
(i) AD, (ii) focused non-AD NDD including Parkinson’s disease, 
ALS and NeuroOrphan indications and (iii) diagnostics. We use 
our two unique proprietary platform technologies, SupraAntigen 
(conformation-specific biologics) and Morphomer (conformation-
specific small molecules), to discover, design and develop novel 
medicines and diagnostics to target misfolded proteins.

To date, the Company has financed its cash requirements 
primarily from its public offerings, share issuances, contract 
revenues from license and collaboration agreements (LCAs) 
and grants. The Company is a clinical stage company and is 
exposed to all the risks inherent to establishing a business. 
Inherent to the Company’s business are various risks and 
uncertainties, including the substantial uncertainty as to whether 
current projects will succeed and our ability to raise additional 
capital as needed. These risks may require us to take certain 
measures such as delaying, reducing or eliminating certain 
programs. The Company’s success may depend in part upon its 
ability to (i) establish and maintain a strong patent position and 
protection, (ii) enter into collaborations with partners in the 
pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries, (iii) successfully 
move its product candidates through clinical development, 
(iv) attract and retain key personnel and (v) acquire capital to 
support its operations.

Statement of compliance
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards 
Board (IASB). These consolidated financial statements were 
approved for issue by the Board of Directors on March 15, 2023.

The Company was initially incorporated as a limited liability 
company on February 13, 2003 in Basel, and effective August 25, 
2003 was transformed into a stock company. The Company’s 
corporate headquarters are located at EPFL Innovation Park 
Building B, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.

Basis of measurement
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under 
the historical cost convention except for items that are required 
to be accounted for at fair value.

2. Basis of preparation
Going concern
The Company believes that it will be able to meet all of its 
obligations as they fall due for at least 12 months from the filing 
date of this Form 20-F, after considering the Company’s cash 
position of CHF 31.6 million and short-term financial assets 
of CHF 91.0 million as of December 31, 2022. Hence, these 
consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a 
going-concern basis.

3.  Summary of significant 
accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of 
these consolidated financial statements are set out below. 
These policies have been consistently applied to all the years 
presented, unless otherwise stated.

Functional and reporting currency
These consolidated financial statements and accompanying 
notes are presented in Swiss Francs (CHF), which is AC Immune 
SA’s functional currency and the Group’s reporting currency. 
The Company’s subsidiary has a functional currency of the U.S. 
Dollar (USD). The respective functional currency represents the 
primary economic environment in which the entities operate.

The following exchange rates have been used for the translation of the financial statements of AC Immune USA:

CHF/USD

Closing rate, USD 1

Weighted average exchange rate, USD 1

The results and financial position of AC Immune USA are 
translated into the presentation currency as follows:

i.  assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented are 

translated at the closing rate at the date of that balance sheet;

ii.  income and expenses for each statement of income/(loss) 

are translated at average exchange rates; and

iii.  all resulting exchange differences are recognized in other 

comprehensive income/(loss), within cumulative 
translation differences.

Basis of consolidation
The annual closing date of the individual financial statements 
is December 31. The Company fully-owns its Subsidiary and 
fully consolidates its financial statements into these consolidated 
financial statements. All intercompany transactions have 
been eliminated.

Foreign currency transactions
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the respective 
functional currency using prevailing exchange rates at the dates 
of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting 
from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation 
at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the 
consolidated statements of income/(loss). Any gains or losses 
from these translations are included in the consolidated 
statements of income/(loss) in the period in which they arise.

Current vs. non-current classification
The Company presents assets and liabilities in the consolidated 
balance sheets based on current/non-current classification. 
The Company classifies all amounts to be realized or settled 
within 12 months after the reporting period to be current and all 
other amounts to be non-current.

For the Year Ended December 31,
2022

2021

 0.933

 0.965

 0.923

 0.929

2020

N/A

N/A

Revenue recognition
The Company applies IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers. This standard applies to all contracts with 
customers, except for contracts that are within the scope of 
other standards, such as leases, insurance, collaboration 
arrangements and financial instruments. Under IFRS 15, an 
entity recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of 
promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the 
consideration that the entity expects to receive in exchange for 
those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for 
arrangements that an entity determines are within the scope of 
IFRS 15, the entity performs the following five steps: (i) identify 
the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance 
obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; 
(iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations 
in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity 
satisfies a performance obligation. The Company applies the 
five-step model to contracts only when it is probable that the 
entity will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for 
the goods or services it transfers to the customer. At contract 
inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope 
of IFRS 15, the Company assesses the goods or services promised 
within each contract, and determines those that are performance 
obligations, and assesses whether each promised good or service 
is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount 
of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective 
performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation 
is satisfied.

The Company enters into LCAs which are within the scope of 
IFRS 15, under which it licenses certain rights to its product 
candidates and intellectual property to third parties. The terms of 
these arrangements typically include payment to the Company 
of one or more of the following: non-refundable, upfront license 
fees, development, regulatory and/or commercial milestone 
payments; payments for research and clinical services the 
Company provides through either its full-time employees or 

60

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

61

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

3. Summary of significant accounting policies continued
third-party vendors, and royalties on net sales of licensed products 
commercialized from the Company’s intellectual property. Each 
of these payments results in license, collaboration and other 
revenues, which are classified as contract revenue on the 
consolidated statements of income/(loss).

Licenses of intellectual property
If the license to the Company’s intellectual property is determined 
to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified 
in the arrangement, the Company recognizes revenues from 
non-refundable, upfront fees allocated to the license when the 
license is transferred to the customer and the customer is able 
to use and benefit from the license. For licenses that are sold in 
conjunction with a related service, the Company uses judgment 
to assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to 
determine whether the combined performance obligation is 
satisfied over time or at a point in time. If the performance 
obligation is settled over time, the Company determines the 
appropriate method of measuring progress for purposes of 
recognizing revenue from non-refundable, upfront fees. The 
Company evaluates the measure of progress each reporting 
period and, if necessary, adjusts the measure of performance 
and related revenue recognition.

Milestone payments
At the inception of each arrangement that includes development, 
regulatory and/or commercial milestone payments, the Company 
evaluates whether the milestones are considered highly probable 
of being reached and estimates the amount to be included in 
the transaction price using the most likely amount method. If it 
is highly probable that a significant cumulative revenue reversal 
would not occur in future periods, the associated milestone 
value is included in the transaction price. These amounts for the 
performance obligations under the contract are recognized as 
they are satisfied. At the end of each subsequent reporting period, 
the Company re-evaluates the probability of achievement of such 
milestones and any related constraint, and if necessary, adjusts 
its estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments 
recorded would affect contract revenues and earnings in the 
period of adjustment.

Research and development services
The Company has certain arrangements with our collaboration 
partners that include contracting our employees for research and 
development programs. The Company assesses if these services 
are considered distinct in the context of each contract and, if so, 
they are accounted for as separate performance obligations. 
These revenues are recorded in contract revenue as the services 
are performed.

Sublicense revenues
The Company has certain arrangements with our collaboration 
partners that include provisions for sublicensing. The Company 
recognizes any sublicense revenues at the point in time it is 
highly probable to obtain and not subject to reversal in the future.

Contract balances
The Company receives payments and determines credit terms 
from its customers for its various performance obligations based 
on billing schedules established in each contract. The timing of 
revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in billed 
other current receivables, accrued income (contract assets), and 
deferred income (contract liabilities) on the consolidated balance 
sheets. Amounts are recorded as other current receivables when 
the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional. The 
Company does not assess whether a contract has a significant 
financing component if the expectation at contract inception is 
such that the period between payment by the licensees and the 
transfer of the promised goods or services to the licensees will 
be 1 year or less.

For a complete discussion of accounting for contract revenue, 
see “Note 13. Contract revenues.”

Research and development expenses
Given the stage of development of the Company’s products, 
all research and development expenditure is expensed as 
incurred as it does not meet the capitalization criteria outlined 
in IAS 38 Intangible Assets. The Company has not capitalized 
any R&D expenses to date. Research and development 
expenditures include:

 ² the cost of acquiring, developing and manufacturing active 

pharmaceutical ingredients for product candidates that have 
not received regulatory approval, clinical trial materials and 
other research and development materials;

 ² fees and expenses incurred under agreements with contract 
research organizations, investigative sites and other entities in 
connection with the conduct of clinical trials and preclinical 
studies and related services, such as administrative, 
data-management and laboratory services;

 ² fees and costs related to regulatory filings and activities;

 ² costs associated with preclinical and clinical activities;

 ² employee-related expenses, including salaries and bonuses, 
benefits, travel and share-based compensation expenses; and

 ² all other allocated expenses such as facilities and information 

technology (IT) costs.

For external research contracts, expenses include those associated 
with contract research organizations, or CROs, or contract 
manufacturing organizations, or CMOs. The invoicing from CROs 
or CMOs for services rendered do not always align with work 
performed. We accrue the cost of services rendered in connection 
with CRO or CMO activities based on our estimate of the “stage 
of completion” for such contracted services. We maintain regular 
communication with our CRO or CMO vendors to gauge the 
reasonableness of our estimates and accrue expenses as of the 
balance sheet date in the consolidated financial statements 
based on facts and circumstances known at the time.

Registration costs for patents are part of the expenditure for 
research and development projects. Therefore, registration costs 
for patents are expensed when incurred as long as the research 
and development project concerned does not meet the criteria 
for capitalization.

General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses are expensed as incurred 
and include personnel costs, expenses for outside professional 
services and all other allocated expenses. Personnel costs consist 
of salaries, cash bonuses, benefits and share-based compensation. 
Outside professional services consist of legal, accounting and 
audit services, IT and other consulting fees. Allocated expenses 
consist of certain IT, facilities and depreciation expenses.

Grant income
The Company has received grants, from time to time, from the 
Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), the Target ALS Foundation 
(Target ALS) and other institutions to support certain research 
projects. Grants are recorded at their fair value in the consolidated 
statements of income/(loss) within other operating income/
(expenses), net when there is reasonable assurance that the 
Company will satisfy the underlying grant conditions and the 
grants will be received. In certain circumstances, grant income 
may be recognized before formal grantor acknowledgement of 
milestone achievements. To the extent required, grant income is 
deferred and recognized on a systematic basis over the periods 
in which the Company expects to recognize the related expenses 
for which the grants are intended to compensate.

Leases
The Company applies IFRS 16 Leases, which provides the model 
for lessee accounting in which all leases, other than short-term 
and low-value leases, are accounted for by the recognition on the 
consolidated balance sheet of a right-of-use asset and a lease 
liability, and the subsequent amortization of the right-of-use 
asset over the earlier of the end of the useful life or the lease term. 
In accordance with IFRS 16, the Company (i) does not recognize 
right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases of low value 
(i.e. approximate fair value of USD 5,000). For a complete 
discussion of accounting, see “Note 5. Right-of-use assets, 
long-term financial assets and lease liabilities.”

Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities
At inception of a leasing contract, the Company assesses whether 
a contract is, or contains, a lease based on whether the contract 
conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a 
period of time in exchange for consideration. The Company 
recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease 
commencement date. The lease liability is initially measured at 
the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the 
commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit 
in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the 
Company’s incremental borrowing rate. The lease liabilities are 
classified as current or non-current based on the due dates of 
the underlying principal payments.

62

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

63

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

3. Summary of significant accounting policies continued
Lease payments generally are fixed for the contract term. The 
lease liability is measured at amortized cost using the effective 
interest method. The lease liability is re-measured if there is a 
change in the estimated lease term, a change in future lease 
payments arising from a change in an index or rate, a change in the 
Company’s estimate of the amount expected to be payable under 
a residual value guarantee or a change in assessment of whether 
it will exercise a purchase, extension or termination option.

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and 
adjusted if appropriate, at each balance sheet date. Where an 
asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable 
amount, it is written down to its recoverable amount.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the 
disposal proceeds with the carrying amount and are included in 
the consolidated statements of income/(loss).

At inception, the right-of-use asset comprises the initial lease 
liability and any initial direct costs. The right-of-use asset is 
depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the useful life 
of the underlying asset. The right-of-use asset is periodically 
reduced by impairment losses, if any, and adjusted for certain 
re-measurements of the lease liability performed on as certain 
potential triggering events may arise (e.g. lease modifications). 
When the lease liability is re-measured, a corresponding 
adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use 
asset or is recorded in profit or loss if the carrying amount of the 
right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero.

The estimated lease term by right-of-use asset categories are 
as follows:

Buildings
Office equipment
IT equipment

5 years
5 years
5 years

Both the right-of-use-assets and lease liabilities are recognized 
in the consolidated balance sheets.

Property, plant and equipment
Equipment is shown at historical acquisition cost, less 
accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment 
losses. Historical costs include expenditures that are directly 
attributable to the acquisition of the property, plant and equipment. 
Depreciation is calculated using a straight-line method to write 
off the cost of each asset to its residual value over its estimated 
useful life as follows:

IT equipment
Laboratory equipment
Leasehold improvements/furniture

3 years
5 years
5 years

Intangible assets
AC Immune’s acquired in process research and development 
(IPR&D) asset is stated at cost less any impairments. The Company 
does not deem this asset ready for use until the asset obtains 
market approval. Therefore, during the development period 
after the date of acquisition until market approval, the IPR&D 
asset is not amortized. Upon market approval, the Company will 
determine the useful life of the asset, reclassify it from IPR&D 
and commence amortization. If the associated R&D effort is 
abandoned, the related IPR&D will likely be written off and we 
will record the relevant impairment charge. Finally, the Company 
will not capitalize future development costs in respect to this 
IPR&D asset until they meet the criteria for capitalization of 
research and development costs in accordance with IAS 38 
Intangible Assets.

Our IPR&D asset is subject to impairment testing at least 
annually or when there are indications that the carrying value 
may not be recoverable until the completion of the development 
process. The determination of the recoverable amounts include 
key estimates which are highly sensitive to, and dependent 
upon, key assumptions.

The Company uses a discounted cash flow method to determine 
the fair value less costs to sell (recoverable amount) of our 
IPR&D intangible asset. The Company starts with a forecast of all 
the expected net cash flows, which incorporates the consideration 
of a terminal value and then the Company applies a discount 
rate to arrive at a risk-adjusted net present value amount.

Any impairment losses are recognized immediately in the 
consolidated statements of income/(loss).

Fair value of financial assets and liabilities
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are composed 
of receivables, short-term financial assets, cash and cash 
equivalents, trade payables and lease liabilities. The fair value 
of these financial instruments approximates their respective 
carrying values due to the short-term maturity of these instruments, 
and are held at their amortized cost in accordance with IFRS 9, 
unless otherwise explicitly noted.

Receivables
Receivables are recognized at their billing value. An allowance 
for doubtful accounts is recorded for potential estimated losses 
when there is evidence of the debtor’s inability to make required 
payments and the Company assesses on a forward-looking basis 
the expected credit losses associated with these receivables 
held at amortized cost.

Short-term financial assets
Short-term financial assets are held with external financial 
institutions and comprise fixed-term deposits with maturities 
ranging from more than 3 through 12 months in duration.

The Company assesses whether there is objective evidence that 
financial assets are impaired annually or whenever potential 
impairment triggers may occur.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include deposits held with external 
financial institutions and cash on hand. All cash and cash 
equivalents are either in cash or in deposits with original duration 
of less than 3 months.

Trade payables
Trade payables are amounts due to third parties in the ordinary 
course of business.

Share capital and public offerings
Common shares are classified as equity. Share issuance costs 
are capitalized as incurred and will be shown in equity as a 
deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds received from existing 
or future offerings. Should a planned equity offering not be 
assessed as probable, the issuance costs would be expensed 
immediately in the consolidated statements of income/(loss). 
See “Note 11. Share capital.”

Treasury shares
Treasury shares are recognized at acquisition cost and deducted 
from shareholders’ equity at the time of acquisition, until they 
are subsequently resold, distributed or cancelled. Where such 
shares are subsequently sold, any consideration received is 
included in shareholders’ equity. See “Note 11. Share capital.”

Employee benefits
Post-employment benefits
The Company operates the mandatory pension schemes for its 
employees in Switzerland. The schemes are generally funded 
through payments to insurance companies. The Company has 
a pension plan designed to pay pensions based on accumulated 
contributions on individual savings accounts. However, this plan 
is classified as a defined benefit plan under IAS 19.

The net defined benefit liability is the present value of the defined 
benefit obligation at the balance sheet date minus the fair value 
of plan assets. Significant estimates are used in determining 
the assumptions incorporated in the calculation of the pension 
obligations, which is supported by input from independent 
actuaries. The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually 
with the assistance of an independent actuary using the projected 
unit credit method, which reflects services rendered by 
employees to the date of valuation, incorporates assumptions 
concerning employees’ projected salaries and pension increases 
as well as discount rates of highly liquid corporate bonds that have 
terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related liability.

To the extent that the fair value of the plan assets is greater than 
the present value of the defined benefit obligation as calculated 
by our independent actuary, the Company accounts for the 
effect of the asset ceiling test under IAS 19.

Re-measurements of the net defined benefit liability, which 
comprise actuarial gains and losses and the return on plan 
assets (excluding interest) are recognized immediately in the 
consolidated statements of other comprehensive income/(loss). 
Past service costs, including curtailment gains or losses, are 
recognized immediately as a split in research and development 
and general and administrative expenses within the operating 
results. Settlement gains or losses are recognized in either 
research and development and/or general and administrative 
expenses within the operating results. The Company determines 

64

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

65

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

3. Summary of significant accounting policies continued
the net interest expense/(income) on the net defined benefit 
liability for the period by applying the discount rate used to 
measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the 
annual period or in case of any significant events between 
measurement dates to the then-net defined benefit liability, 
considering any changes in the net defined benefit liability 
during the period as a result of contributions and benefit payments. 
Net interest expense/(income) and other expenses related to 
defined benefit plans are recognized in the consolidated 
statements of income/(loss).

We estimate the fair value of restricted share units using a 
reasonable estimate of market value of the common shares on 
the date of the award. We classify our share-based payments as 
equity-classified awards as they are settled in common shares. 
We measure equity-classified awards at their grant date fair value 
and do not subsequently re-measure them. Compensation costs 
related to equity-classified awards are equal to the fair value of 
the award at grant date amortized over the vesting period of the 
award using the graded method. We reclassify that portion of 
vested awards to share capital and share premium as the 
awards vest.

Share-based compensation
The Company operates an equity-settled, share-based 
compensation plan. The fair value of the employee services 
received in exchange for the grant of equity-based awards is 
recognized as an expense. The total amount to be expensed 
over the vesting period is determined by reference to the fair 
value of the instruments granted, excluding the impact of any 
non-market vesting conditions. Non-market vesting conditions 
are included in assumptions about the number of instruments 
that are expected to become exercisable. At each balance 
sheet date, the Company revises its estimates of the number of 
instruments that are expected to become exercisable. It 
recognizes the impact of the revision of original estimates, if any, 
prospectively in the consolidated statements of income/(loss), 
and a corresponding adjustment to equity over the remaining 
vesting period.

Stock options granted under the Company’s stock option plans 
C1 and the 2016 Stock Option and Incentive Plan are valued using 
the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (see “Note 18. Share-
based compensation”). This valuation model as well as parameters 
used such as expected volatility and expected term of the stock 
options are partially based on management’s estimates.

The proceeds received net of any directly attributable transaction 
costs are credited to share capital (nominal value) and share 
premium when the options are exercised.

Provisions
Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present legal 
or constructive obligation as a result of past events where it is 
more likely than not that an outflow of resources will be required 
to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate of the amount 
can be made.

Taxation
Current income tax assets and liabilities for the period are 
measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid 
to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to 
compute the tax amounts are those that are enacted or 
substantively enacted, at the reporting date in accordance with 
the fiscal regulations of the respective country where the 
Company operates and generates taxable income. Deferred tax 
is provided using the liability method on temporary differences 
between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying 
amounts for financial reporting purposes at the reporting date.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates 
that are expected to apply in the year when the asset is realized 
or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that 
have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting 
date. If required, deferred taxation is provided in full using the 
liability method, on all temporary differences at the reporting 
dates. It is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply 
to the period when it is anticipated the liabilities will be settled, 
and it is based on tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted at the reporting date.

Deferred income tax assets are recognized to the extent that it 
is probable that future taxable profit will be available against 
which the temporary differences can be utilized. Deferred tax 
assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to 
the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit 
will be realized. Although the Company has substantial tax loss 
carry-forwards, historically, due to the fact that the Company 
had limited certainty on the achievement of key milestones, it 
has not recognized any deferred tax assets as the probability for 
use is low.

As disclosed in “Note 16. Income taxes,” the Company has tax 
losses that can generally be carried forward for a period of 
7 years from the period the loss was incurred. These tax losses 
represent potential value to the Company to the extent that the 
Company is able to create taxable profits before the expiry 
period of these tax losses. The Company has not recorded any 
deferred tax assets in relation to these tax losses.

Earnings per share
The Company presents basic earnings per share for each period 
in the consolidated financial statements. The earnings per share 
are calculated by dividing the earnings of the period by the 
weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the 
period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution 
that could occur if dilutive securities such as share options or 
non-vested restricted share units were vested or exercised into 
common shares or resulted in the issuance of common shares 
that would participate in net income. Anti-dilutive shares are 
excluded from the dilutive earnings per share calculation.

Critical judgments and accounting estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS 
requires management to make judgments, estimates and 
assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and 
the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.

The areas where AC Immune has had to make judgments, 
estimates and assumptions relate to (i) revenue recognition on 
LCAs, (ii) clinical development accruals, (iii) net employee defined 
benefit liability, (iv) income taxes, (v) share-based compensation, 
(vi) right-of-use assets and lease liabilities and (vii) our IPR&D 
asset. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates 
and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. 
Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in 
which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

Segment reporting
The Company has one segment. The Company currently focuses 
most of its resources on discovering and developing therapeutic 
and diagnostic products targeting misfolded proteins.

The Company is managed and operated as one business. 
A single management team that reports to the chief operating 
decision maker comprehensively manages the entire business. 
Accordingly, the Company views its business and manages its 
operations as one operating segment. Non-current assets are 
located in, and revenue is allocated and recorded within, the 
Company’s country of domicile, Switzerland.

Accounting policies, new standards, interpretations and 
amendments adopted by the Company
There are no new IFRS standards, amendments or interpretations 
that are mandatory as of January 1, 2022 that are relevant to the 
Company. Additionally, the Company has not adopted any 
standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but 
is not yet effective. Such standards are not currently expected 
to have a material impact on the entity in the current or future 
reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions.

66

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

67

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

4. Property, plant and equipment
The following tables show the movements in the net book values of property, plant and equipment for the years ended December 31, 
2022 and 2021, respectively:

In CHF thousands

Acquisition cost:

Balance at December 31, 2021

Additions 

Transfers

Balance at December 31, 2022

Accumulated depreciation:

Balance at December 31, 2021

Depreciation expenses

Balance at December 31, 2022

Carrying amount:

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2022

In CHF thousands

Acquisition cost:

Balance at December 31, 2020

Additions

Transfers

Disposals

Balance at December 31, 2021

Accumulated depreciation:

Balance at December 31, 2020

Depreciation expenses

Disposals

Furniture

IT
equipment

As of December 31, 2022
Laboratory
equipment

Leasehold
improvements

 265

 20

 —

 285

 (106)

 (53)

 (159)

 159

 126

 1,754

 151

 4

 1,909

 (1,316)

 (283)

 (1,599)

 9,142

 576

 47

 9,765

 (5,739)

 (1,278)

 (7,017)

 810

 184

 646

 1,640

 (389)

 (179)

 (568)

 438

 310

 3,403

 2,748

 421

 1,072

Assets under
construction

 695

 5

 (697)

 3

 —

 —

 —

 695

 3

Furniture

IT
equipment

Laboratory
equipment

Leasehold
improvements

Assets under
construction

As of December 31, 2021

 214

 51

 —

 —

 265

 (61)

 (45)

 —

 1,497

 250

 7

 —

 1,754

 (970)

 (346)

 —

 7,681

 1,268

 270

 (77)

 9,142

 (4,405)

 (1,398)

 64

 (5,739)

 464

 346

 —

 —

 810

 (281)

 (108)

 —

 (389)

 183

 421

 277

 695

 (277)

 —

 695

 —

 —

 —

 —

 277

 695

Total

 12,666

 936

 —

 13,602

 (7,550)

 (1,793)

 (9,343)

 5,116

 4,259

Total

 10,133

 2,610

 —

 (77)

 12,666

 (5,717)

 (1,897)

 64

 (7,550)

 4,416

 5,116

Balance at December 31, 2021

 (106)

 (1,316)

Carrying amount:

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2021

 153

 159

 527

 438

 3,276

 3,403

AC Immune continues to enhance its laboratory equipment to support its R&D functions. This effort has continued for the year ended 
December 31, 2022, with CHF 0.8 million invested in lab equipment, including the expansion of our leased lab space, and IT equipment, 
representing an increase of 7%.

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company incurred CHF 1.8 million, CHF 1.9 million and CHF 1.5 million 
in depreciation expenses, respectively.

5. Right-of-use assets, long-term financial assets and lease liabilities
The Company recognized additions and remeasurements of right-of-use of leased assets for buildings or for office equipment totaling 
CHF 0.5 million and CHF 1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. In 2022, these increases are 
predominantly associated with the remeasurement of our leased office space.

Regarding lease liabilities, the amortization depends on the rate implicit in the contract or the incremental borrowing rate for the 
respective lease component. The weighted averages of the incremental borrowing rates as of December 31, 2022 are 3.5% (2.5% 
for 2021) for buildings, 5.3% (5.3% for 2021) for office equipment and 2.6% (2.6% for 2021) for IT equipment.

The following tables show the movements in the net book values of right-of-use of leased assets for the years ended December 31, 
2022 and 2021, respectively:

In CHF thousands

Balance as of December 31, 2021

Additions and remeasurements

Depreciation

Balance as of December 31, 2022

In CHF thousands

Balance as of December 31, 2020

Additions and remeasurements

Dispositions

Depreciation

Balance as of December 31, 2021

Buildings

 2,776

 460

 (528)

 2,708

Buildings

2,106

 1,144

 —

 (474)

 2,776

Office
equipment

IT
equipment

 98

 —

 (24)

 74

 40

 —

 (14)

 26

Office
 equipment

IT 
equipment

63

 71

 (15)

 (21)

 98

54

 —

 —

 (14)

 40

Total

 2,914

 460

 (566)

 2,808

Total

 2,223

 1,215

 (15)

 (509)

 2,914

For the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021, the impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of income/(loss) and 
consolidated statements of cash flows is detailed in the table below.

In CHF thousands

Statements of income/(loss)

Depreciation of right-of-use assets 

Interest expense on lease liabilities 

Expense for short-term leases and leases of low value 

Total 

Statements of cash flows

Total cash outflow for leases

For the Year Ended December 31,
2021

2022

 566

 68

 750

 509

 63

 723

 1,384

 1,295

 1,388

 1,299

The following table presents the contractual undiscounted cash flows for lease liabilities as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:

In CHF thousands

Less than one year

1-3 years

3-5 years

Total

As of December 31,

2022

 638

 1,230

 1,187

 3,055

2021

 638

 1,260

 1,203

 3,101

The Company also has two deposits in escrow accounts totaling CHF 0.4 million for the lease of the Company’s premises as of 
December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

  
  
  
68

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

69

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

6. Asset acquisition
In 2021, the Company closed its acquisition with Affiris AG (Affiris) for the program portfolio of therapeutics targeting a-syn, notably 
ACI-7104.056 (previously PD01), a clinically-validated active vaccine candidate for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (the Transferred 
Assets). The Company acquired the Transferred Assets and USD 5.0 (CHF 4.6) million in cash in exchange for 7,106,840 shares of 
the Company at closing, for a total value of USD 58.7 (CHF 55.1) million.

With the closing of this transaction, the Company recorded an IPR&D intangible asset associated with ACI-7104.056 for USD 53.7 
(CHF 50.4) million. The Company used a risk-adjusted discounted cash flow method to determine the fair value of the intangible 
asset using a discount rate of 15%. See “Note 7. Intangible assets” for further details on assumptions used.

As the Company transferred its own equity instruments in consideration for the asset transferred, the acquisition was assessed in 
accordance with IFRS 2 Share-based Payment.

The Company determined that the acquisition of the Transferred Assets did not qualify as a business combination in accordance with 
IFRS 3 Business Combinations and therefore was accounted for as an asset acquisition. Most of the fair value of the Transferred Assets 
is attributable to a single identifiable asset which is the in-process research and development asset. The purchase consideration for 
the Transferred Assets was allocated based on their relative fair values.

7. Intangible assets
AC Immune’s acquired IPR&D asset is a clinically-validated active vaccine candidate for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The 
asset is not yet ready for use until the asset obtains market approval. The carrying amount and net book value are detailed below:

In CHF thousands

Acquired IPR&D asset

Total intangible assets

As of December 31,2022

As of December 31,2021

Gross
carrying
amount

 50,416

 50,416

Accumulated
amortization

 —

 —

Net book
 value

 50,416

 50,416

Gross
carrying
amount

 50,416

 50,416

Accumulated
amortization

 —

 —

Net book
 value

 50,416

 50,416

In accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, the IPR&D asset is reviewed at least annually for impairment by assessing the fair 
value less costs to sell (recoverable amount) and comparing this to the carrying value of the asset. The valuation is considered to 
be Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy in accordance with IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement due to unobservable inputs used in the 
valuation. The Company has determined the IPR&D asset was not impaired as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The key assumptions used in the valuation model in accordance with an income approach to determine the recoverable amount 
include observable and unobservable key inputs as follows:

 ² Anticipated research and development costs;

 ² Anticipated costs of goods and sales and marketing expenditures;

The following table summarizes the amounts of the Transferred Assets acquired:

 ² Probability of achieving clinical and regulatory development milestones in accordance with certain industry benchmarks;

In CHF thousands

Cash

IPR&D asset

Total

4,634

50,416

55,050

 ² Target indication prevalence and incidence rates;

 ² Anticipated market share;

 ² General commercialization expectations such as anticipated pricing and uptake;

 ² Expected patent life and market exclusivity periods; and

 ² Other metrics such as the tax rate.

The Company’s valuation model calculates the risk-adjusted, net cash flows through the projected period of market exclusivity across 
target sales regions. The Company uses a discount rate of 17% (15% for 2021), based on the assumed cost of capital for the Company 
over the forecast period.

See “Note 6. Asset acquisition” for further details.

70

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

71

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

8. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term financial assets
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are maintained in the following respective currencies as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:

In CHF thousands

Cash and cash equivalents

Total

By currency

CHF

EUR

USD

Total cash and cash equivalents

As of December 31,

2022

 31,586

 31,586

 24,418

 1,313

 5,855

 31,586

2021

 82,216

 82,216

 64,941

 2,253

 15,022

 82,216

As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company’s funds were held in CHF, EUR and USD currencies. Funds held in EUR and USD 
were translated into CHF at a rate of 0.994 and 0.933 and 1.045 and 0.923, respectively, for each currency and year.

The following table summarizes the Company’s short-term financial assets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:

In CHF thousands

Short-term financial assets due in one year or less

Total short-term financial assets

9. Prepaid expenses and accrued income

In CHF thousands

Prepaid expenses

Accrued income

Total prepaid expenses and accrued income

As of December 31, 

2022

 91,000

 91,000

2021

 116,000

 116,000

As of December 31,

2022

 4,708

 408

 5,116

2021

 3,015

 975

3,990

The Company’s prepaid expenses relate mainly to research contracts with down-payments at contract signature with the related 
activities to start or continue into 2023 as well as prepaid payroll-related expenses.

Accrued income consists of CHF 0.4 million as of December 31, 2022 associated with our MJFF grants and Target ALS (see “Note 13.2. 
Grant income”). This amount represents 100% of our total accrued income as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2021, the 
Company recorded CHF 0.9 million of accrued income associated with our MJJF grants. This amount represented 87% of our total 
accrued income as of December 31, 2021.

10. Other current receivables

In CHF thousands

Other current receivable

Swiss VAT

Withholding tax

Total other current receivables

As of December 31,

2022

 124

 249

 19

 392

2021

 101

 327

 —

 428

The maturity of these assets is less than 3 months. The Company considers the counterparty risk as low and the carrying amount 
of these receivables is considered to approximate their fair value.

11. Share capital
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the issued share capital amounted to CHF 1,796,675 and CHF 1,794,013, respectively, and is 
composed of outstanding common shares of 83,620,364 and 83,479,013, respectively, and treasury shares of 6,214,021 and 
6,221,617, respectively.

The table below summarizes the Company’s capital structure:

December 31, 2020

Proceeds from sale of treasury shares in public offerings,  
net of underwriting fees and transaction costs

Asset purchase agreement, net of transaction costs

Conversion of note agreements, net of transaction costs

Issuance of shares – incentive plans, net of transaction costs

Issuance of shares to be held as treasury shares, net of 
transaction costs

December 31, 2021

Common shares Treasury shares

 76,936,738

 (5,000,000)

 —

 1,171,543

 7,106,840

 3,026,634

 237,258

 —

 —

 —

Share
capital
CHF ‘000

 1,538

 —

 142

 61

 5

Share
premium
CHF ‘000

 346,890

 12,097

 54,328

 16,683

 1,253

 2,393,160

 (2,393,160)

 89,700,630

 (6,221,617)

48

 1,794

—

 431,251

Proceeds from sale of treasury shares in public offerings,  
net of underwriting fees and transaction costs

 —

Issuance of shares – incentive plans, net of transaction costs

 133,755

 7,596

 —

 —

 3

 (8)

 80

December 31, 2022

 89,834,385

 (6,214,021)

 1,797

 431,323

Treasury
shares
CHF ‘000

 (100)

 24

 —

 —

 —

 (48)

 (124)

 0

 —

 (124)

The common shares and treasury shares have nominal values of CHF 0.02 per share. All shares have been fully paid. These treasury 
shares held by the Company are not considered outstanding shares as of December 31, 2022 or 2021.

Authorized capital
The Company’s Board of Directors is authorized to increase the share capital, in one or several steps, until June 24, 2024, by a maximum 
amount of CHF 400,000 by issuing a maximum of 20,000,000 registered shares with a par value of CHF 0.02 each, to be fully paid up. 
An increase of the share capital (i) by means of an offering underwritten by a financial institution, a syndicate or another third party or 
third parties, followed by an offer to the then-existing shareholders of the Company and (ii) in partial amounts, shall also be permissible.

Conditional share capital for bonds and similar debt instruments
The Company’s share capital may be increased by a maximum aggregate amount of CHF 100,000 through the issuance of a maximum 
of 5,000,000 registered shares, payable in full, each with a nominal value of CHF 0.02 per share, through the exercise of conversion 
and/or option or warrant rights granted in connection with bonds or similar instruments, issued or to be issued by the Company or 
by subsidiaries of the Company, including convertible debt instruments.

72

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

73

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

Conditional share capital for employee benefit plans
The Company’s share capital may be increased by a maximum 
aggregate amount of CHF 96,000 through the issuance of not 
more than 4,800,000 common shares, payable in full, each with 
a nominal value of CHF 0.02 per share, by the exercise of options 
rights that have been granted to employees, consultants, 
members of the board of directors, or other person providing 
services to the Company or a subsidiary.

Shelf registration statement
On April 28, 2021, the Company filed a Shelf Registration 
Statement on Form F-3 (Reg. No. 333-255576) (the “Shelf 
Registration Statement”) with the SEC. The Shelf Registration 
Statement was declared effective by the SEC on May 5, 2021.

The Shelf Registration Statement allows the Company to offer 
and sell, from time to time, up to USD 350,000,000 of common 
shares, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts, units, 
subscription rights or any combination of the foregoing in one 
or more future public offerings. The terms of any future offering 
would be determined at the time of the offering and would be 
subject to market conditions and approval by the Company’s 
Board of Directors. Any offering of securities covered by the 
Shelf Registration Statement will be made only by means of a 
written prospectus and prospectus supplement authorized and 
filed by the Company.

At the market equity offering
In Q3 2020, AC Immune issued 5,000,000 common shares with 
a nominal value of CHF 0.02, which became treasury shares. 
The Company also established an “at the market offering program” 
(“ATM”) for the sale of up to USD 80.0 (CHF 74.6) million worth 
of our common shares issued from time to time by entering into 
an Open Market Sale Agreement (“Sales Agreement”) with 
Jefferies LLC (“Jefferies”) as the sales agent under a prior 
registration statement on Form F-3 which expired in Q2 2021.

In Q2 2021, the Company filed a new registration statement on 
Form F-3 and an accompanying prospectus supplement in 
order to renew its ATM program. The Company also entered 
into a second Open Market Sale Agreement (the “new Sales 
Agreement”) with Jefferies to continue the ATM program.

In Q3, 2021, the Company issued 2,393,160 common shares 
with a nominal value of CHF 0.02 to be held as treasury shares.

Through December 31, 2022, the Company has sold 1,179,139 
common shares previously held as treasury shares pursuant to 
the new Sales Agreement, raising USD 13.3 (CHF 12.1) million, 
net of underwriting fees and transaction costs. We have paid 
commissions to Jefferies totaling USD 0.4 (CHF 0.4) million through 
December 31, 2022, for share issuances in accordance with our 
ATM programs.

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, 
the Company has expensed issuance costs of nil, nil and 
CHF 0.5 million, respectively, in the consolidated statements of 
income/(loss).

Convertible note agreement
Concurrently with the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company 
entered into two separate Convertible Note Agreements with 
entities affiliated with each of Athos Service GmbH and First 
Capital Partner GmbH, both of which entities are shareholders of 
Affiris. Each Convertible Note Agreement provided for the sale 
of an unsecured subordinated Convertible Note of the Company 
with an aggregate principal amount of USD 12.5 (CHF 11.7) 
million for total net proceeds of USD 25 (CHF 23.5) million.

In 2021, the affiliated entities exercised their options to convert 
their respective USD 12.5 (CHF 11.7) million notes. As a result 
of these conversions, 1,513,317 common shares were issued to 
each Investor, totaling 3,026,634 common shares. The Company 
recorded an increase to its share capital for the nominal value 
of its shares and share premium for the difference associated 
with settlement of this liability. The Company also settled its 
derivative financial assets, which were embedded conversion 
features associated with the convertible debt, via an offset to its 
share premium. These convertible notes and derivative financial 
assets were fully settled in 2021 and there is no further equity 
or cash consideration due to the affiliated entities thereunder.

12. Trade and other payables and accrued expenses

In CHF thousands

Trade and other payables 

Total trade and other payables

Accrued research and development costs 

Accrued payroll expenses 

Other accrued expenses 

Total accrued expenses

As of December 31,

2022

 929

 929

 5,360

 2,898

 1,159

 9,417

2021

 2,003

 2,003

 10,361

 3,562

 2,813

 16,736

An accrual of CHF 2.1 million and CHF 2.3 million was recognized for performance-related remuneration within accrued payroll 
expenses for 2022 and 2021, respectively. In 2021, an accrual of CHF 3.7 million was recorded as part of our cost sharing arrangement 
with Janssen within accrued research and development costs and CHF 0.8 million was recorded as accrued stamp duty for the 
issuance of shares as part of the Company’s asset acquisition within other accrued expenses.

13. Contract revenues
For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, AC Immune generated contract revenues of CHF 3.9 million, nil and 
CHF 15.4 million, respectively. 

The following tables provide contract revenue amounts from its LCAs for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 
2020, respectively.

In CHF thousands

Lilly

Janssen 

Life Molecular Imaging

Total contract revenues

For the Year Ended December 31,
2022

2021

—

—

 3,935

 3,935

 —

 —

 —

 —

2020

 14,348

 1,083

 —

 15,431

LMI accounted for 100% of our contract revenues in 2022 and Lilly accounted for 93% of our contract revenues in 2020.

During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized the following contract revenues as a result 
of changes in the contract asset and the contract liability balances in the respective periods:

In CHF thousands

Revenues recognized in the period from:

For the Year Ended December 31,
2022

2021

2020

Amounts included in the contract liability at the beginning of the period 

Performance obligations satisfied in previous periods

—

 3,935

—

—

 4,477

 10,000

74

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

75

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

13.1  Licensing and collaboration agreements
Morphomer Tau small molecule – 2018 license agreement 
with Eli Lilly and Company
In December 2018, we entered into an exclusive, worldwide 
licensing agreement with Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) to research 
and develop Morphomer Tau small molecules for the treatment 
of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. More specifically, 
this is an exclusive license with the right to Lilly to grant sublicenses 
under the ACIU Patents, the ACIU know-how, and ACIU’s interests 
in the Joint Patents and the joint know-how to Exploit the Licensed 
Compounds and Licensed Products. The agreement became 
effective on January 23, 2019 (the “effective date”) when the waiting 
period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act 
of 1976, as amended, expired. In Q3 2019, the Company and Lilly 
entered into the first amendment to divide the first discretionary 
milestone payment under the agreement of CHF 60 million into 
two installments, with the first CHF 30 million paid in Q3 2019 and 
the second CHF 30 million to be paid on or before March 31, 2020 
unless Lilly terminated the agreement earlier. In Q1 2020, the 
Company and Lilly entered into a second amendment to replace 
the second CHF 30 million to be paid on or before March 31, 2020 
with two milestone payments, one of CHF 10 million to be paid 
on or before March 31, 2020 and the other of CHF 60 million 
following the first patient dosed in a Phase 2 clinical study of a 
licensed product in the U.S. or EU.

Per the terms of the agreement, the Company received an initial 
upfront payment of CHF 80 million in Q1 2019 for the rights 
granted by the Company to Lilly. To date, the Company has 
completed a Phase 1 clinical study with ACI-3024.

Additionally, the Company and Lilly have continued candidate 
characterization across the research program, identifying new 
and highly differentiated candidates with desired cerebrospinal 
fluid exposure and selectivity for pathological aggregated Tau. 
These will be broadly developed in Tau-dependent 
neurodegenerative diseases by Lilly. Lilly is responsible for 
leading and funding further clinical development and will retain 
global commercialization rights for all indications.

eligible to receive royalties on sales at a percentage rate ranging 
from the low double-digits to the mid-teens. The agreement will 
terminate by the date of expiration of the last royalty term for the 
last licensed product. However, under the terms of the agreement, 
Lilly may terminate the agreement at any time by providing 
3 months’ prior notice to us.

AC Immune assessed this arrangement in accordance with 
IFRS 15 and concluded that Lilly is a customer. The Company 
identified the following significant performance obligations under 
the contract: (i) a right-of-use license and (ii) research and 
development activities outlined in the development plan. Per the 
agreement, the Company was responsible for the preclinical 
and Phase 1 activities for the first clinical candidate, ACI-3024, 
which the Company determined was distinct and capable of 
being completed by Lilly or a third party. Preclinical activities for 
which AC Immune was responsible prior to their completion in 
Q2 2019 included final manufacturing of materials for use in the 
regulatory submission of the protocol and in the Phase 1 study. 
For the completed Phase 1, AC Immune was responsible for 
leading the study design, obtaining relevant regulatory agency 
approvals, arranging necessary third-party contracts, completing 
patient selection, ensuring patient treatment, following up with 
patients, drafting the clinical study report development and other 
relevant clinical activities to ensure that the primary objective of 
the study was completed. The Company used CMOs for certain 
of its preclinical activities and CROs to complete certain Phase 
1 activities and to issue the final clinical study report.

The Company’s preclinical and Phase 1 activities did not represent 
integrated services with the licensed intellectual property for 
which Lilly contracted. Lilly purchased a license to the Company’s 
Tau therapeutic small-molecule program, which was delivered at 
commencement of the agreement, and AC Immune’s preclinical 
and Phase 1 activities did not affect the form or functionality of 
this license. The Company’s objective for the Phase 1 activity was 
to assess safety and tolerability and did not modify or customize 
ACI-3024. The completion of these preclinical and Phase 1 
activities does not affect the licensed intellectual property.

Per the terms of the agreement, the Company may become 
eligible to receive additional milestone payments totaling up to 
approximately CHF 880 million for clinical and regulatory 
milestones and CHF 900 million upon achievement of certain 
commercial milestones. In addition to milestones, we will be 

Finally, per the agreement, each party has three representatives 
on a joint steering committee (JSC). Depending upon the agenda, 
additional field experts can attend the JSC to provide the technical 
and scientific contribution required. The JSC meets on a regular 
basis depending on agreements between the representatives. 

The JSC is responsible for serving as the forum to (i) discuss, 
review and approve certain activities by reviewing and discussing 
the development progress with updates on back-up candidates, 
(ii) discuss, review and approve all amendments to the global 
development plan, (iii) periodically discuss and review 
commercialization of licensed products and (iv) review and 
approve reports related to development costs among other 
activities. The JSC is intended to ensure that communication 
between the parties remains consistent and that the development 
plan is progressing as intended.

The valuation of each performance obligation involves estimates 
and assumptions with revenue recognition timing to be determined 
by either delivery or the provision of services.

The Company used the residual approach to estimate the selling 
price for the right-of-use license and an expected cost plus margin 
approach for estimating the research and development activities. 
The right-of-use license was delivered on the effective date. The 
research and development activities were delivered over time as 
the services were performed. For these services, revenue was 
recognized over time using the input method, based on costs 
incurred to perform the services, as the level of costs incurred 
over time is thought to best reflect the transfer of services to Lilly. 
The Company determined the value of the research and 
development activities to be CHF 6.9 million and deferred this 
balance from the effective date. To date, the Company has 
cumulatively recognized CHF 6.9 million in contract revenue, 
resulting in no deferred income (contract liability) on the 
consolidated balance sheets. The remaining CHF 73.1 million 
from the upfront payment was allocated to the right-of-use license 
and recognized on the effective date.

efforts. Any consideration related to sales-based milestones 
(including royalties) will be recognized when the related sales 
occur as they were determined to relate predominantly to the 
license granted to Lilly and therefore have also been excluded 
from the transaction price. The Company will re-evaluate the 
transaction price in each reporting period and as uncertain 
events are resolved or other changes in circumstances occur.

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, we 
have recognized nil, nil and CHF 14.3 million, respectively, from 
this arrangement.

Anti-Abeta antibody in AD – 2006 agreement with Genentech, 
a member of the Roche Group
In November 2006, we signed an exclusive, worldwide licensing 
agreement for crenezumab, our humanized monoclonal 
therapeutic antibody targeting misfolded Abeta. The agreement 
was amended March 2009, January 2013, May 2014 and May 
2015. The agreement also provides for the development of a 
second therapeutic product for a non-AD indication based on 
the same intellectual property and anti-Abeta antibody compound. 
The value of this partnership is potentially greater than USD 340 
(CHF 317) million.

The term of the agreement commenced on the effective date and, 
unless sooner terminated by mutual agreement or pursuant to 
any other provision of the agreement, terminates on the date on 
which all obligations between the parties with respect to the 
payment of milestones or royalties with respect to licensed 
products have passed or expired. Either party may terminate the 
agreement for any material breach by the other party, provided 
a cure period of 90 days from the date when that notice is given.

At inception of the agreement, none of the clinical, regulatory or 
commercial milestones had been included in the transaction price, 
as all milestone amounts were fully constrained. To date, the 
Company has recognized CHF 40 million from milestone payments 
triggered in Q3 2019 and Q1 2020 related to the right-of-use 
license for intellectual property as there were no further 
constraints related to these milestones. In assessing that future 
clinical, regulatory or commercial milestones are fully constrained, 
the Company considered numerous factors to determine that these 
milestones are not highly probable to obtain, including that receipt 
of the milestones is outside the control of the Company and 
contingent upon success in future clinical trials and the licensee’s 

Genentech commenced a first Phase 3 clinical study in March 
2016 for crenezumab (CREAD). In March 2017, Genentech started 
a second Phase 3 clinical trial (CREAD 2). Since 2013, crenezumab 
has also been studied in a Phase 2 preventive trial in individuals 
who carry the PSEN1 E280A autosomal-dominant mutation and 
do not meet the criteria for mild cognitive impairment due to AD 
or dementia due to AD and are, thus, in a preclinical phase of AD 
(autosomal dominant AD (ADAD)). In 2019, Genentech initiated 
a Tau Positron Emission Tomography (PET) substudy to the 
ongoing Phase 2 trial in ADAD to evaluate the effect of crenezumab 
on Tau burden, which may also increase the understanding of 
disease progression in the preclinical stage of ADAD.

76

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

77

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

13. Contract revenues continued
If crenezumab receives regulatory approval, we will be entitled 
to receive royalties that are tied to annual sales volumes with 
different royalty rates applicable in the U.S. and Europe ranging 
from the mid-single digits to mid-teens. To date, we have received 
total milestone payments of USD 65 (CHF 70.1) million comprised 
of an upfront payment of USD 25 (CHF 31.6) million and of USD 
40 (CHF 38.2) million for clinical development milestones 
achieved all-in prior to January 1, 2017. Genentech may terminate 
the agreement at any time by providing 3 months’ notice to us. 
In such event all costs incurred are still refundable.

AC Immune assessed this arrangement in accordance with 
IFRS 15 and concluded that Genentech is a customer. The 
Company identified the following performance obligations 
under the contract: (i) a right-of-use license and (ii) conducting 
of research under a research plan. The Company considered 
the research and development capabilities of Genentech and 
Genentech’s right to sublicense to conclude that the license 
has stand-alone functionality and is distinct. The Company’s 
obligation to perform research does not significantly impact or 
modify the licenses’ granted functionality.

At execution of the agreement, the transaction price included the 
upfront consideration received of USD 25 (CHF 31.6) million. At 
inception, none of the clinical or regulatory milestones had been 
included in the transaction price, as all milestone amounts were 
fully constrained. The Company has received three milestone 
payments since inception, totaling USD 40 (CHF 38.2) million. 
The Company could receive greater than USD 275 (CHF 256.4) 
million or more for further regulatory milestones for this exclusive, 
worldwide alliance. In assessing that future regulatory milestones 
are fully constrained, the Company considered numerous factors, 
including that receipt of the milestones is outside the control of 
the Company and contingent upon success in future clinical 
trials and the licensee’s efforts. Any consideration related to 
royalties will be recognized when the related sales occur as 
they were determined to relate predominantly to the license 
granted to Genentech and therefore have also been excluded 
from the transaction price. The Company will re-evaluate the 
transaction price in each reporting period and as uncertain 
events are resolved or other changes in circumstances occur.

In January 2019, we announced that Roche, the parent of 
Genentech, is discontinuing the CREAD and CREAD 2 (BN29552 
and BN29553) Phase 3 studies of crenezumab in people with 
prodromal-to-mild sporadic AD. The decision came after an 
interim analysis conducted by the Independent Data Monitoring 
Center (IDMC) indicated that crenezumab was unlikely to meet 
its primary endpoint of change from baseline in CDR-SB Score. 
This decision was not related to the safety of the investigational 
product. No safety signals for crenezumab were observed in 
this analysis and the overall safety profile was similar to that 
seen in previous trials.

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, we 
have recognized no revenues from this arrangement.

Anti-Tau antibody in AD – 2012 agreement with Genentech, 
a member of the Roche Group
In June 2012, we entered into a second agreement with Genentech 
to research, develop and commercialize our anti-Tau antibodies 
for use as immunotherapeutics and diagnostics. The agreement 
was amended in December 2015. The value of this exclusive, 
worldwide alliance is potentially greater than CHF 400 million 
and includes upfront and clinical, regulatory and commercial 
milestone payments. In addition to milestones, we will be eligible 
to receive royalties on sales at a percentage rate ranging from 
the mid-single digits to low-double digits. The agreement also 
provides for collaboration on at least one additional therapeutic 
indication outside of AD built on the same anti-Tau antibody 
program as well an anti-Tau diagnostic product.

The term of the agreement commenced on the effective date 
and, unless sooner terminated by mutual agreement or pursuant 
to any other provision of the agreement, terminates on the date 
on which all obligations between the parties with respect to the 
payment of milestones or royalties with respect to licensed 
products have passed or expired. Either party may terminate the 
agreement for any material breach by the other party, provided 
a cure period of 90 days from the date when that notice is given.

To date, we have received payments totaling CHF 59 million, 
including a milestone payment of CHF 14 million received and 
recognized in Q4 2017 associated with the first patient dosing in 
a Phase 2 clinical trial for AD with an anti-Tau monoclonal body 

known as semorinemab, a milestone payment of CHF 14 million 
recognized in Q2 2016 and received in July 2016, associated with 
the announcement of the commencement of the Phase 1 clinical 
study of semorinemab, and a milestone payment of CHF 14 million 
received in 2015 in connection with the ED-GO decision. As we 
met all performance obligations on reaching these milestones, 
we have recognized revenue in the respective periods. Genentech 
may terminate the agreement at any time by providing 3 months’ 
notice to us.

AC Immune assessed this arrangement in accordance with 
IFRS 15 and concluded that Genentech is a customer. The 
Company identified the following performance obligations under 
the contract: (i) a right-of-use license and (ii) conduct of research 
under a research plan. The Company considered the research 
and development capabilities of Genentech and Genentech’s 
right to sublicense to conclude that the license has stand-alone 
functionality and is distinct. The Company’s obligation to perform 
research does not significantly impact or modify the licenses’ 
granted functionality.

At execution of the agreement, the transaction price included an 
upfront consideration received of CHF 17 million. At inception, 
none of the clinical or regulatory milestones had been included 
in the transaction price, as all milestone amounts were fully 
constrained. The Company has received three milestones since 
inception totaling CHF 42 million. The Company could also 
receive up to an additional CHF 368.5 million in clinical, regulatory 
and commercial milestones. In assessing that future clinical, 
regulatory or commercial milestones are fully constrained, the 
Company considered numerous factors, including that receipt 
of the milestones is outside the control of the Company and 
contingent upon success in future clinical trials. Any consideration 
related to sales-based milestones (including royalties) will be 
recognized when the related sales occur as they were determined 
to relate predominantly to the license granted to Genentech and 
therefore have also been excluded from the transaction price. 
The Company will re-evaluate the transaction price in each 
reporting period and as uncertain events are resolved or other 
changes in circumstances occur.

In September 2020, the Company reported that Genentech 
informed us of top line results from a Phase 2 trial of the 
anti-Tau antibody, semorinemab, in early (prodromal to mild) 

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) which show that semorinemab did 
not meet its primary efficacy endpoint of reducing decline on 
CDR-SB compared to placebo. The primary safety endpoint was 
however met. Two secondary endpoints, Alzheimer’s Disease 
Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 13 (ADAS-Cog13) and 
Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study Group – Activities of 
Daily Living Inventory (ADCS-ADL), were not met.

In August 2021, the Company reported that Genentech had 
informed the Company that the Lauriet study had met one of its 
co-primary endpoints, ADAS-Cog 11. The second co-primary 
endpoint, ADCS-ADL, was not met. Safety data showed that 
semorinemab was well tolerated with an acceptable safety 
profile and no unanticipated safety signals. In November 2021, 
the Company reported that Genentech had presented the full 
top-line data from the Lauriet study during a late-breaking session 
at the 14th Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease conference.

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, we 
have recognized no revenues from this arrangement.

Tau vaccine in AD – 2014 agreement with Janssen 
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
In December 2014, we entered into an agreement with Janssen 
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Janssen), part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical 
Companies of Johnson & Johnson, to develop and commercialize 
therapeutic anti-Tau vaccines for the treatment of AD and 
potentially other Tauopathies. The value of this collaboration 
is potentially up to CHF 500 million and includes upfront and 
clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones. In addition to 
milestones, we will be eligible to receive royalties on sales at 
a percentage rate ranging from the high-single digits to the 
mid-teens for the phospho-Tau vaccine program. In April 2016, 
July 2017, January 2019, November 2019 and December 2022, 
the companies entered into the first, second, third, fourth and 
fifth amendments, respectively. These amendments allow for the 
alignment of certain payment and activity provisions with the 
Development Plan and Research Plan activities. We and Janssen 
have completed the co-development of the second-generation 
lead therapeutic vaccines, ACI-35.030 and JACI-35.054, through 
Phase 1b/2a. In November 2022, it was announced that ACI-35.030 
was selected to advance into further development based on 
interim data from the ongoing Phase 1b/2a trial. AC Immune 
and Janssen will jointly share research and development costs 

78

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

79

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

13. Contract revenues continued
until the completion of the first Phase 2b (AC Immune’s 
contribution to the first Phase 2b trial is capped). From Phase 
2b and onwards, Janssen will assume responsibility for the 
clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of 
ACI-35.030. 

Under the terms of the agreement, Janssen may terminate the 
agreement at any time after completion of the first Phase 1b 
clinical study in 2016 by providing 90 days’ notice to us. If not 
otherwise terminated, the agreement shall continue until the 
expiration of all royalty obligations as outlined in the contract.

The agreement also allows for the expansion to a second 
indication based on the same anti-Tau vaccine program and 
based on intellectual property related to this program.

The Company received an upfront, non-refundable license fee 
of CHF 25.9 million, which we recognized as revenue in 2014. In 
May 2016, we received a payment of CHF 4.9 million for reaching 
a clinical milestone in the first Phase 1b study. As we met all 
performance obligations on reaching the milestone, we have 
recognized this income as revenue.

AC Immune assessed this arrangement in accordance with 
IFRS 15 and concluded that Janssen is a customer. The Company 
identified the following performance obligations under the 
contract: (i) a right-of-use license and (ii) research and development 
services including a development and chemistry, manufacturing 
and controls work plan. The Company considered the research 
and development capabilities of Janssen, Janssen’s right to 
sublicense, and the fact that the research and development 
services are not proprietary and can be provided by other vendors, 
to conclude that the license has stand-alone functionality and is 
distinct. The Company’s obligation to perform research and 
development services does not significantly impact or modify the 
licenses’ granted functionality. Based on these assessments, the 
Company identified the license and the research and development 
services as the performance obligations at the inception of the 
arrangement, which were deemed to be distinct in the context 
of the contract.

At execution of the agreement, the transaction price included 
only the upfront consideration received of CHF 25.9 million. At 
inception, none of the clinical, regulatory or commercial milestones 

has been included in the transaction price, as all milestone 
amounts were fully constrained. The Company did receive a 
payment of CHF 4.9 million for reaching a clinical milestone in 
the first Phase 1b study in May 2016. The Company could also 
receive up to more than CHF 458 million in clinical, regulatory 
and commercial milestones as well as tiered, high-single digits 
to mid-teen royalties on aggregate net sales for the phospho-Tau 
vaccine program. In assessing that future clinical, regulatory or 
commercial milestones are fully constrained, the Company 
considered numerous factors to determine that these milestones 
are not highly probable to obtain, including that receipt of the 
milestones is outside the control of the Company and contingent 
upon success in future clinical trials and the licensee’s efforts. 
Any consideration related to sales-based milestones (including 
royalties) will be recognized when the related sales occur as they 
were determined to relate predominantly to the license granted 
to Janssen and therefore have also been excluded from the 
transaction price. The Company will re-evaluate the transaction 
price in each reporting period and as uncertain events are 
resolved or other changes in circumstances occur.

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, we 
have recognized nil, nil and CHF 1.1 million, respectively, from 
this arrangement.

Tau-PET imaging agent –2014 agreement with Life Molecular 
Imaging (LMI) (formerly Piramal Imaging SA)
In May 2014 (as amended in June 2022), we entered into an 
agreement, our first diagnostic partnership, with LMI, the former 
Piramal Imaging SA. The partnership with LMI is an exclusive, 
worldwide licensing agreement for the research, development 
and commercialization of the Company’s Tau protein PET tracers 
supporting the early diagnosis and clinical management of AD 
and other Tau-related disorders and includes upfront and sales 
milestone payments totaling up to EUR 160 (CHF 159) million, plus 
royalties on sales at a percentage rate ranging from mid-single 
digits to low-teens. LMI may terminate the LCA at any time by 
providing 3 months’ notice to us.

In connection with this agreement, AC Immune received a 
payment of EUR 500 (CHF 664) thousand, which was fully 
recognized in 2015. In Q1 2017, we recorded a milestone 
payment of EUR 1 (CHF 1.1) million related to the initiation of 
“Part B” of the first-in-man Phase 1 study. In Q3 2019, the 

Company recognized EUR 2 (CHF 2.2) million in connection with 
the initiation of a Phase 2 trial of Tau-PET tracer in patients with 
mild cognitive impairment and mild–to-moderate AD in comparison 
with non-demented control participants. In Q3 2022, the Company 
recognized EUR 4 (CHF 3.9) million linked to the progression of 
the Tau-PET tracer into late-stage development in AD. The 
Company is eligible to receive additional variable consideration 
related to the achievement of certain clinical milestones totaling 
EUR 4 (CHF 4) million should the compound make it through 
Phase 3 clinical studies. We are also eligible to receive potential 
regulatory and sales-based milestones totaling EUR 148 (CHF 138) 
million. Finally, the Company is eligible for royalties from the 
mid-single digits to low-teens.

AC Immune assessed this arrangement in accordance with 
IFRS 15 and concluded that LMI is a customer. The Company has 
identified that the right-of-use license as the only performance 
obligation. The Company determined that transaction price 
based on the defined terms allocated to each performance 
obligation specified in the contract.

The upfront payment constitutes the amount of consideration 
to be included in the transaction price and has been allocated to 
the license. None of the clinical, regulatory or commercial 
milestones has been included in the transaction price as these 
variable consideration elements are considered fully constrained. 
As part of its evaluation of the constraint, the Company considered 
numerous factors, including that receipt of the milestones is 
outside the control of the Company and contingent upon success 
in future clinical trials and the licensee’s efforts.

Any consideration related to sales-based milestones (including 
royalties) will be recognized when the related sales occur as 
these amounts have been determined to relate predominantly 
to the license granted to LMI and therefore are recognized at 
the later of when the performance obligation is satisfied or the 
related sales occur. The Company considered LMI’s right to 
sublicense and develop the Tau protein PET tracers, and the 
fact that LMI could perform the research and development work 
themselves within the license term without AC Immune, to 
conclude that the license has stand-alone functionality and is 
distinct. The Company believes that the contracted amount 
represents the fair value. The Company will re-evaluate the 
transaction price in each reporting period and as uncertain 
events are resolved or other changes in circumstances occur.

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the 
Company has recognized CHF 3.9 million, nil and nil, respectively, 
from this arrangement.

13.2  Grant income
Grants from the Michael J. Fox Foundation
In May 2020, the Company, as part of a joint arrangement with 
Skåne University Hospital (Skåne) in Sweden, was awarded 
a USD 3.2 (CHF 3.0) million grant from the MJFF’s Ken Griffin 
Alpha-synuclein Imaging Competition. As part of this grant, AC 
Immune is eligible to receive USD 2.5 (CHF 2.3) million directly 
from the MJFF. Skåne will receive USD 0.7 (CHF 0.7) million of 
the total grant directly from the MJFF over two years to conduct 
and support the clinical arm of the project. In August 2022, the 
Company received follow-on grant funding as part of its joint 
arrangement with Skåne in Sweden totaling USD 0.5 (CHF 0.5) 
million for the continued development of its alpha-synuclein 
PET imaging diagnostic agent. As part of this grant, AC Immune 
received USD 0.4 (CHF 0.4) million directly from the MJFF. 
Skåne will receive USD 0.1 (CHF 0.1) million of the total grant 
directly from the MJFF over the duration of the grant period.

The MJFF expects that AC Immune and Skåne will complete 
tasks according to the agreed timelines. AC Immune’s funding 
is variable depending on the satisfactory achievement of these 
specific tasks within a specific period of time.

In December 2021, the Company announced that it had been 
awarded two grants totaling USD 1.5 (CHF 1.4) million to advance 
small molecule PD programs. One award will support an existing 
early-stage program to develop small molecules that can prevent 
intracellular aggregation and spreading of a-syn. The other award 
will fund research on the therapeutic potential of chemically and 
mechanistically novel, brain penetrant small molecule inhibitors 
of NLRP3 inflammasome activation for the treatment of PD.

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, 
the Company has recognized CHF 1.2 million, CHF 1.1 million 
and CHF 1.3 million, respectively, from its MJFF grants. As of 
December 31, 2022, the Company recorded CHF 0.3 million 
in accrued income and CHF 0.5 million in deferred 
income, respectively.

80

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

81

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

14. Expenses by category
Research and development

In CHF thousands

Operating expenses 

Payroll expenses 

Share-based compensation 

Total research and development expenses 

For the Year Ended December 31,
2022

2021

 41,166

 17,548

 1,622

 60,336

 44,289

 16,465

 1,528

 62,282

2020

 43,787

 14,424

 1,276

 59,487

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company incurred CHF 60.3 million, CHF 62.3 million and CHF 59.5 million 
in research and development expenses, respectively. The decrease in 2022 is mainly driven by decreases in direct R&D expenditures 
across various programs. 

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company had 122.4, 108.6 and 115.3 FTEs in our research and 
development functions.

General and administrative

In CHF thousands

Operating expenses 

Payroll expenses 

Share-based compensation 

Total general and administrative expenses 

For the Year Ended December 31,
2022

2021

 6,207

 7,874

 1,708

 7,031

 8,281

 2,598

2020

 7,471

 8,274

 2,812

 15,789

 17,910

 18,557

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company incurred CHF 15.8 million, CHF 17.9 million and CHF 18.6 million 
in general and administrative expenses, respectively. The decrease in 2022 compared with the prior year predominantly relates 
to certain transaction costs associated with our prior year asset acquisition which did not repeat in 2022 as well as a reduction 
in headcount.

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company had 22.5, 27.3 and 26.7 FTEs in our general and 
administrative functions.

Financial result, net

In CHF thousands

Financial income

Financial expense

Exchange differences

Finance result, net 

For the Year Ended December 31,
2022

2021

 69

 (355)

 393

 107

 6,485

 (581)

 113

 6,017

2020

 78

 (184)

 (555)

 (661)

Our finance result primarily consists of interest expense associated with our short-term financial assets and lease liabilities as well 
as foreign currency exchange differences.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, the decrease in financial result, net related primarily to the prior year CHF 6.5 million  gain on 
the conversion features related to the Company’s convertible notes due to certain Affiris affiliated entities that did not recur.

Tax losses 

Deductible temporary differences related to:

Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, net

Retirement benefit plan 

Total 

15. Related-party transactions
Board of directors and executive management compensation
Key management includes the board of directors and executive management. For 2022, there were eight members (2021: eight and 
2020: seven) of the Board (excluding the CEO) and seven members (2021: six and 2020: five) of executive management (including the 
CEO). Compensation was as follows:

In CHF thousands

Short-term employee benefits 

Post-employment benefits 

Share-based compensation 

Total compensation

For the Year Ended December 31,
2022

2021

 4,187

 295

 2,503

 6,985

 4,403

 266

 2,997

 7,666

2020

 3,497

 214

 2,578

 6,289

16. Income taxes
The Group recognized less than CHF 0.1 million, less than CHF 0.1 million and nil in income taxes and no deferred tax asset or liability 
positions for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Group’s expected tax expense for each year is 
based on the applicable tax rates in each jurisdiction. In 2022, these rates ranged from 13.6% to 33.8% (13.6% - 32.9% for 2021 and 
13.6% for 2020) in the Group’s respective tax jurisdictions. The weighted average tax rate applicable to the Group was 13.6% (13.6% 
for 2021 and 2020, respectively). 

The Group’s income tax expense for each year can be reconciled to loss before tax as follows:

In CHF thousands

Loss before income tax 

Tax benefit calculated at the domestic rates applicable in the respective countries 

(Income not subject to tax)/expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Effect of unused tax losses and tax offsets not recognized as deferred tax assets 

Effective income tax rate (benefit)/expense 

For the Year Ended December 31,
2022

2021

 (70,740)

 (9,616)

 455

 9,174

 13

 (72,993)

 (9,930)

 (375)

 10,308

 3

2020

 (61,921)

 (8,441)

 462

 7,979

 —

The Swiss tax rate used for the 2022 reconciliations is the corporate tax rate of 13.6% (13.6% in 2021 and 2020, respectively) payable 
by corporate entities in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland on taxable profits under tax law in that jurisdiction.

The below table details the total unrecognized deductible temporary differences, unused tax losses and unused tax credits:

In CHF thousands

Unrecognized deductible temporary differences, unused tax losses and unused tax credits

Deductible temporary differences, unused tax losses and unused tax credits for which no 
deferred tax assets have been recognized are attributable to the following:

As of December 31,

2022

2021

2020

 264,089

 197,152

 121,948

 —

 3,213

 —

 7,098

 —

 7,464

 267,302

 204,250

 129,412

82

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

83

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

16. Income taxes continued
The following table details the tax losses carry forwards of the Company and their respective expiry dates:

In CHF thousands

Tax losses split by expiry date:

December 31, 2024

December 31, 2025

December 31, 2026

December 31, 2027

December 31, 2028

December 31, 2029

As of December 31,

2022

2021

2020

 15,231

 48,894

 —

 57,824

 75,204

 66,936

 15,231

 48,894

 —

 57,824

 75,204

 —

 15,231

 48,894

 —

 57,824

 —

 —

Total unrecorded tax loss carryforwards

 264,089

 197,153

 121,949

The tax losses available for future offset against taxable profits have increased by CHF 66.9 million from 2021, representing the 
amount of tax losses that are additionally available as an offset, subject to expiration as disclosed in the table above, against future 
taxable income.

Consistent with prior years, the Company has not recorded any deferred tax assets in relation to the past tax losses available for offset 
against future profits as the recognition criteria were not met at the balance sheet date.

17. Retirement benefit plan
The Company participates in a collective foundation covering all of its employees including its executive officers. In addition to 
retirement benefits, the plan provides death or long-term disability benefits.

Contributions paid to the plan are computed as a percentage of salary, adjusted for the age of the employee and shared approximately 
47% and 53% by employee and employer, respectively.

This plan is governed by the Swiss Law on Occupational Retirement, Survivors and Disability Pension Plans (BVG), which requires 
contributions to be made to a separately administered fund. The fund has the legal form of a foundation and it is governed by a 
board of trustees, which consists of an equal number of employer and employee representatives of its members. The board of 
trustees is responsible for the administration of the plan assets and for the definition of the investment strategy. The Company has 
no direct influence on the investment strategy of the foundation board.

The assets are invested by the pension plan, to which many companies contribute, in a diversified portfolio that respects the 
requirements of the Swiss BVG. Therefore, disaggregation of the pension assets and presentation of plan assets in classes that 
distinguish the nature and risks of those assets is not possible. Under the plan, both the Company and the employee share the 
costs. The structure of the plan and the legal provisions of the BVG mean that the employer is exposed to actuarial risks. The main 
risks are investment risk, interest risk, disability risk and the life expectancy of pensioners. Through our affiliation with the pension 
plan, the Company has minimized these risks, as they are shared between a much greater number of participants. On leaving the 
Company, a departing employee’s retirement savings are transferred to the pension institution of the new employer or to a vested 
benefits institution. This transfer mechanism may result in pension payments varying considerably from year to year.

The pension plan is exposed to Swiss inflation, interest rate risks and changes in the life expectancy for pensioners. For accounting 
purposes under IFRS, the plan is treated as a defined benefit plan in accordance with IAS 19.

The following table sets forth the status of the defined benefit pension plan and the amount that is recognized in the consolidated 
balance sheets:

As of December 31,

In CHF thousands

Defined benefit obligation 

Fair value of plan assets 

Total liability 

2022

 (32,410)

 29,197

 (3,213)

2021

 (33,889)

 26,791

 (7,098)

2020

 (30,213)

 22,749

 (7,464)

The following amounts have been recorded as net pension cost in the consolidated statements of income/(loss):

In CHF thousands

Service cost 

Interest cost 

Interest income 

Net pension cost 

For the Year Ended December 31,
2022

2021

 1,712

 126

 (87)

 1,751

 1,648

 79

 (48)

2020

 1,626

 71

 (42)

 1,679

 1,655

The changes in defined benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets and unrecognized gains/(losses) are as follows.

A. Change in defined benefit obligation

In CHF thousands

Defined benefit obligation as of January 1 

Service cost 

Interest cost 

Change in demographic assumptions 

Change in financial assumptions 

Change in experience assumptions 

Benefits deposited 

Employees’ contributions 

For the Year Ended December 31,
2022

2021

 (33,889)

 (1,712)

 (126)

 29

 8,397

 (1,726)

 (2,327)

 (1,056)

 (30,213)

 (1,648)

 (79)

 —

 156

 (252)

 (894)

 (959)

2020

 (26,624)

 (1,626)

 (71)

 1,428

 (71)

 (931)

 (1,467)

 (851)

Defined benefit obligation as of December 31

 (32,410)

 (33,889)

 (30,213)

B. Change in fair value of plan assets

In CHF thousands

Fair value of plan assets as of January 1 

Interest income 

Employees’ contributions 

Employer’s contributions 

Benefits deposited

Return on plan assets excluding interest income 

Fair value of plan assets as of December 31

For the Year Ended December 31,
2022

2021

 26,791

 22,749

 87

 1,056

 1,210

 2,327

 (2,274)

 29,197

 48

 959

 1,089

 894

 1,052

 26,791

2020

 19,139

 42

 851

 950

 1,467

 300

 22,749

Expected contributions by the employer to be paid to the post-employment benefit plans during the annual period beginning after 
the end of the reporting period amount to approximately CHF 1.2 million.

84

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

85

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

17. Retirement benefit plan continued
C. Change in net defined benefit liability

In CHF thousands

Net defined benefit liabilities as of January 1 

Net pension cost through statement of income/(loss)

Remeasurement through other comprehensive income/(loss)

Employer’s contribution 

Net defined benefit liabilities as of December 31

D. Other comprehensive gains/(losses)

In CHF thousands

Effect of changes in demographic assumptions 

Effect of changes in financial assumptions 

Effect of changes in experience assumptions 

Return on plan assets excluding interest income 

Total other comprehensive gain

For the Year Ended December 31,
2022

2021

 7,098

 1,751

 (4,426)

 (1,210)

 3,213

 7,464

 1,679

 (956)

 (1,089)

 7,098

For the Year Ended December 31,
2022

2021

 29

 8,397

 (1,726)

 (2,274)

 4,426

 —

 156

 (252)

 1,052

 956

2020

 7,485

 1,655

 (726)

 (950)

 7,464

2020

 1,428

 (71)

 (931)

 300

 726

The change in experience assumptions results from an increased sum of insured salaries.

The fair value of the plan assets is the cash surrender value of the insurance with the insurance company (AXA). The investment 
strategy defined by the board of trustees follows a conservative profile.

The plan assets are primarily held within instruments with quoted market prices in an active market, with the exception of real estate 
and mortgages.

The weighted-average duration of the defined benefit obligation is 14.9 years and 17.1 years as of December 31, 2022 and 
2021, respectively.

The actuarial assumptions used for the calculation of the pension cost and the defined benefit obligation of the defined benefit 
pension plan for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, are as follows:

Discount rate 

Rate of future increase in compensations 

Rate of future increase in current pensions 

Interest rate on retirement savings capital

Mortality and disability rates 

For the Year Ended December 31,
2022

2021

 2.25%

 1.75%

 0.00%

 2.25%

 0.30%

 1.75%

 0.00%

 0.75%

2020

 0.20%

 1.75%

 0.00%

 0.50%

In defining the benefits, the minimum requirements of the Swiss BVG and its implementing provisions must be observed. The BVG 
defines the minimum pensionable salary and the minimum retirement credits.

A quantitative sensitivity analysis for significant assumptions as of December 31, 2022 is shown below:

Assumptions

Discount rate

Future salary increase

Future pension cost

Interest rate on 
savings capital

0.5%
increase
CHF ’000

0.5%
decrease
CHF ’000

0.5%
increase
CHF ’000

0.5%
decrease
CHF ’000

0.5%
increase
CHF ’000

0.5%
decrease
CHF ’000

0.5%
increase
CHF ’000

0.5%
decrease
CHF ’000

Potential defined benefit obligation 

 30,201

 34,916

 32,940

 31,841

 33,601

 31,322

 33,322

 31,545

Decrease/(increase) from actual defined 
benefit obligation

 2,209

 (2,506)

 (530)

 569

 (1,191)

 1,088

 (912)

 865

A quantitative sensitivity analysis for significant assumptions as of December 31, 2021 is shown below:

Assumptions

Discount rate

Future salary increase

Future pension cost

Interest rate on 
savings capital

0.5%
increase
CHF ’000

0.5%
decrease
CHF ’000

0.5%
increase
CHF ’000

0.5%
decrease
CHF ’000

0.5%
increase
CHF ’000

0.5%
decrease
CHF ’000

0.5%
increase
CHF ’000

0.5%
decrease
CHF ’000

Potential defined benefit obligation 

 31,190

 37,006

 34,578

 33,176

 35,497

 32,435

 34,822

 33,007

Decrease/(increase) from actual defined 
benefit obligation

 2,699

 (3,117)

 (689)

 713

 (1,608)

 1,454

 (933)

 882

The sensitivity analyses above are subject to limitations and have been determined based on a method that extrapolates the impact 
on net defined benefit obligation as a result of reasonable changes in key assumptions occurring at the end of the reporting period.

18. Share-based compensation
Share-based option awards
As of December 31, 2022, there are equity-based instruments outstanding that the Company has granted under two different plans.

The Company’s 2016 Share Option and Incentive Plan (SOIP) was approved by the shareholders at the ordinary shareholders’ meeting in 
November 2016. The 2016 Plan authorizes the grant of incentive and non-qualified share options, share appreciation rights, restricted 
share awards, restricted share units, unrestricted share awards, performance share awards, performance-based awards to covered 
employees and dividend equivalent rights. The Company only grants equity-based instruments from the SOIP as of December 31, 2022.

The following table summarizes equity-settled share option grants for plans that existed during the period:

Plan

Share option plan C1

2016 SOIP:

Number of
options awarded
(since inception)

 6,775,250

Vesting
conditions

Contractual
life of options

4 years’ service from grant date

10 years

Executives and directors

 3,277,044

1 year, 3 year and 4 years’ service from the date of grant, quarterly and annually

10 years

10 years

BVG 2020-CMI BVG 2020-CMI BVG 2020-CMI

Employees

 1,811,687

4 years’ service from the date of grant, annually

86

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

87

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

18. Share-based compensation continued
The number and weighted-average exercise prices (in CHF) of options under the share option programs for Plans C1 and the 2016 
SOIP are as follows:

Outstanding at January 1, 2020

Forfeited during the year

Expired during the year

Exercised during the year

Granted during the year

Outstanding at December 31, 2020

Exercisable at December 31, 2020

Outstanding at January 1, 2021

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Granted during the year

Outstanding at December 31, 2021

Exercisable at December 31, 2021

Outstanding at January 1, 2022

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Granted during the year

Outstanding at December 31, 2022

Exercisable at December 31, 2022

Number of
options

 1,981,629

 (53,591)

 (26,729)

 (73,669)

 1,073,027

 2,900,667

 1,099,015

 2,900,667

 (207,331)

 (218,561)

 1,110,914

 3,585,689

 1,613,242

 3,585,689

 (304,738)

 (110,250)

 1,090,316

 4,261,017

 2,345,648

The outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2022 have the following range of exercise prices:

Range of exercise prices

CHF 0.15

CHF 9.53

USD 5.04 to USD 12.30

USD 2.76 to USD 4.57

Total outstanding options

Weighted-
average
exercise price
(CHF)

Weighted-
average
remaining term
 (years)

 5.93

 6.03

 4.38

 2.00

 6.29

 5.90

 5.49

 5.90

 6.13

 4.97

 6.34

 6.21

 6.13

 6.21

 6.32

 0.15

 3.18

 5.65

 6.41

 8.3

 —

 —

 —

 —

 8.2

 7.0

 8.2

 —

 —

 —

 7.8

 6.8

 7.8

 —

 —

 —

 7.6

 6.6

Total options

Range of
expiration
dates

 97,875

2022–2026

 223,646

2027

 2,864,408

2028–2031

 1,075,088

 4,261,017

2032

The weighted-average exercise price for options granted in 2022, 2021 and 2020 is USD 3.44 (CHF 3.18), USD 6.95 (CHF 6.34) and 
USD 7.11 (CHF 6.29), respectively. The range of exercise prices for outstanding options was CHF 0.15 to CHF 9.53 for awards 
previously granted in CHF (prior to 2018) and USD 2.76 to USD 12.30 for awards granted in USD as of December 31, 2022.

For awards issued in 2022, the volatility is based on the Company’s actual volatility for the period congruent with the expected term 
of the underlying option. The risk-free interest rate is based on yields of long-dated U.S. Treasury notes that align with the expected 
term of the award. The weighted-average share price of common share options exercised in 2022 is USD 3.55 (CHF 3.28).

The weighted-average grant date fair values of the options granted in 2022, 2021 and 2020 are USD 2.38 (CHF 2.20), USD 5.23 (CHF 4.78) 
and USD 5.25 (CHF 4.65), respectively. The following table illustrates the weighted-average assumptions for the Black-Scholes 
option-pricing model used in determining the fair value of these awards:

Exercise price (USD)

Share price (weighted average)

Risk-free interest rate

Expected volatility

Expected term (in years)

Dividend yield

For the Year Ended December 31,
2022

2021

2020

2.76-4.57

5.31-7.72

5.04-9.16

 3.44

0-2.4%

67-80%

5.5 - 6.25

 —

 6.95

0%

 80%

5.1 - 6

 —

 7.11

0%

 80%

5.5 - 6

 —

Restricted share awards
A summary of non-vested share awards (restricted share and restricted share units) activity as of December 31, 2022 and changes 
during the year then ended is presented below:

Grantee type

Restricted share units

Directors

Executives

Number of
share awards
granted

 159,025

 274,872

Non-vested at January 1, 2020

Forfeited during the year

Expired during the year

Exercised during the year

Granted during the year

Vested during the year

Non-vested at December 31, 2020

Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2020

Non-vested at December 31, 2020

Exercised during the year

Vested during the year

Non-vested at December 31, 2021

Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2021

Non-vested at December 31, 2021

Granted during the year

Vested during the year

Non-vested at December 31, 2022

Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2022

Vesting
conditions

Contractual life
of non-vested
share awards

3 year and 4 years’ service from the  date of grant, quarterly and semi-annually

1 year service from date of grant, annually

Number of
non-vested
shares

 42,763

 (11,828)

 (7,804)

 (84,638)

 —

 (23,269)

 19,494

 49,289

 19,494

 (2,471)

 (18,697)

 797

 65,515

 797

 239,194

 (23,505)

 216,486

 89,020

10 years

10 years

Weighted-
average grant
date fair value
 (CHF)

 9.52

 9.47

 9.52

 9.51

 —

 9.52

 9.51

 9.47

 9.51

 9.46

 9.52

 9.41

 9.48

 9.41

 3.06

 3.28

 3.06

 7.84

The weighted-average grant date fair values of the remaining non-vested share awards as of the respective year end for the restricted 
share units were CHF 3.06, CHF 9.41 and CHF 9.51 for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The fair values 
of these non-vested share awards granted were determined using a reasonable estimate of market value of the common shares on 
the date of the award.

The expense charged against the income statement was CHF 3.3 million, CHF 4.1 million and CHF 4.1 million for the years ended 
December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The expense is revised by the Company based on the number of instruments 
that are expected to become exercisable.

88

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

89

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

19. Commitments and contingencies
The Company’s commitments and contingencies relate to its ongoing operating activities, mainly research and development programs, 
as well as its leased corporate space.

In the normal course of business, we conduct product research and development programs through collaborative programs that 
include, among others, arrangements with universities, contract research organizations and clinical research sites. We have contractual 
arrangements with these organizations. As of December 31, 2022, we have contractual obligations, other than for leases (see below), 
totaling CHF 23.0 million for 2023.

We lease our corporate, laboratory and other facilities under multiple leases at the EPFL Innovation Park in Ecublens, near Lausanne, 
Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Our lease agreements have no termination clauses longer than a 12-month contractual notice period. 
The Company recognizes a right-of-use asset for its leases, except for short-term and low-value leases as indicated in Note 3. 
See “Note 5. Right-of-use assets, long-term financial assets and lease liabilities” for the contractual undiscounted cash flows for 
lease obligations.

In CHF thousands

Within 1 year

Between 1 and 3 years

Between 3 and 5 years

More than 5 years

Total

20. Earnings per share

In CHF thousands except for share and per share data

Loss per share (EPS)

Numerator

As of December 31,

2022

 23,336

 18,516

 9,229

 1,407

 52,488

2021

 19,785

 3,620

 243

 51

 23,699

For the Year Ended December 31, 
2022

2021

2020

Net loss attributable to equity holders of the Company

 (70,753)

 (72,996)

 (61,921)

Denominator

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding used to compute EPS basic and diluted 
attributable to equity holders

 83,554,412

 74,951,833

 71,900,212

Basic and diluted loss per share for the period attributable to equity holders

 (0.85)

 (0.97)

 (0.86)

In periods for which we have a loss, basic net loss per share is the same as diluted net loss per share. We have excluded from our 
calculation of diluted loss per share all potentially dilutive in-the-money (i) share options, (ii) non-vested restricted share awards and 
(iii) shares that were issued upon conversion of two different convertible notes as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. 
The weighted-average number of potentially dilutive securities that were not included in the diluted per share calculations because 
they would be anti-dilutive were as follows:

Share options issued and outstanding (in-the-money)

Restricted share awards subject to future vesting

Convertible shares

Total potentially dilutive securities 

As of December 31,

2022

 135,827

 117,292

 —

2021

 1,140,388

 6,264

 41,461

2020

 412,191

 28,418

 —

 253,119

 1,188,113

 440,609

21. Financial instruments and risk management
The Company’s activities expose it to the following financial risks: market risk (foreign exchange and interest rate risk), credit risk 
and liquidity risk. The Company’s overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks 
to minimize potential adverse effects on the Company’s financial performance.

The following table shows the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities:

In CHF thousands

Financial assets

Right-of-use assets

Long-term financial assets

Other current receivables

Short-term financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total financial assets

In CHF thousands

Financial liabilities

Long-term lease liabilities

Trade and other payables

Accrued expenses

Short-term lease liabilities

Total financial liabilities

As of December 31,

2022

2021

 2,808

 361

 392

 91,000

 31,586

 126,147

 2,914

 363

 428

 116,000

 82,216

 201,921

As of December 31,

2022

2021

 2,253

 929

 9,417

 548

 13,147

 2,340

 2,003

 16,736

 570

 21,649

Foreign exchange risk
The Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from currency exposures, primarily with respect to the EUR, USD and to a 
lesser extent to GBP, DKK and SEK. The currency exposure is not hedged. However, the Company has a policy of matching its cash 
holdings to the currency structure of its expenses, which means that the Company holds predominately CHF, with lesser balances 
of EUR and USD (see “Note 8. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term financial assets”). The Company recognized a gain of 
CHF 0.5 million and losses of CHF 0.1 million and CHF 0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, 
within “Finance result, net.”

As of December 31, 2022, if the CHF had strengthened/weakened by 10% against the EUR and the USD with all other variables held 
constant, the net loss for the period would have been lower/higher by CHF 0.7 million (2021: CHF 1.7 million), mainly as a result of 
foreign exchange gains/losses on predominantly EUR/USD denominated cash and cash equivalents and short-term financial assets.

Interest rates
The Company’s CHF cash holdings (inclusive of those held in short-term financial assets) were subject to negative interest rates at 
certain counterparty thresholds through the first three quarters of 2022. However, with the increase in interest rates, no current CHF 
cash holdings (inclusive of those held in short-term financial assets) are subject to negative interest rates with our counterparties. 
As of December 31, 2022 if the interest rates charged by the counterparties had increased/decreased by 10%, the net income for the 
period would have been higher/lower by less than CHF 0.2 million. Interest income and interest expense are recorded within 
finance results, net in our consolidated statements of income/(loss).

 
90

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Statutory Auditor’s Report  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

91

Notes to the  
Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

Statutory  
Auditor’s Report
to the General Meeting of AC Immune SA  
Ecublens

Credit risk
The Company maintains a formal treasury risk and investment management policy to limit counterparty credit risk. As of December 31, 
2022, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and short-term financial assets are held with five financial institutions, each with a 
high credit rating ranging from A+ to BBB assigned by international credit-rating agencies. The maximum amount of credit risk is 
the carrying amount of the financial assets. Other receivables are fully performing, not past due and not impaired (see “Note 8. Cash 
and cash equivalents and short-term financial assets” and “Note 10. Other current receivables”).

Liquidity risk
Inherent in the Company’s business are various risks and uncertainties, including the high uncertainty that new therapeutic concepts 
will succeed. AC Immune’s success may depend in part upon its ability to (i) establish and maintain a strong patent position and 
protection, (ii) enter into collaborations with partners in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries, (iii) acquire and keep 
key personnel employed and (iv) acquire additional capital to support its operations.

The Company’s approach of managing liquidity is to ensure sufficient cash to meet its liabilities when due. Therefore, management 
closely monitors the cash position on rolling forecasts based on expected cash flow to enable the Company to finance its operations 
for at least 18 months. The Company has CHF 0.9 million in trade and other payables, and CHF 9.4 million in accrued expenses 
which are due within 12 months from the reporting date. Finally, as it relates to the Company’s lease liabilities please see “Note 5. 
Right-of-use assets, long-term financial assets and lease liabilities” for detail of when corresponding lease liabilities are due.

22. Capital risk management
The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to 
preserve the capital on the required statutory level in order to succeed in developing a cure against (i) AD, (ii) focused non-Alzheimer’s 
neurodegenerative diseases including NeuroOrphan indications and (iii) diagnostics.

23. Subsequent events
Management has evaluated subsequent events after the balance sheet date, through the issuance of these consolidated financial 
statements, for appropriate accounting and disclosures. The Company has determined that there were no other such events that 
warrant disclosure or recognition in these consolidated financial statements.

Report on the audit of the consolidated financial statements 
Opinion
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of 
AC Immune SA and its subsidiary (the Group), which comprise 
the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022, and 
the consolidated statement of income/(loss) and consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income/(loss), consolidated 
statement of changes in equity and consolidated statement of 
cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the consolidated 
financial statements, including a summary of significant 
accounting policies.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Swiss law, International 
Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and Swiss Standards on Auditing 
(SA-CH). Our responsibilities under those provisions and 
standards are further described in the ‘Auditor’s responsibilities 
for the audit of the consolidated financial statements’ section of 
our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance 
with the provisions of Swiss law and the requirements of the 
Swiss audit profession, as well as the International Code of 
Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International 
Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics 
Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA Code), and we have 
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with 
these requirements.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements (pages 52 
to 90) give a true and fair view of the consolidated financial 
position of the Group as at December 31, 2022 and its 
consolidated financial performance and its consolidated cash 
flows for the year then ended in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and comply with Swiss law.

Our audit approach

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is 
sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Overview

Overall Group materiality: CHF 2,800 thousand

We conducted full scope audit procedures on the Swiss entity.  
Our audit scope addressed over 99% of the Group’s total assets.

As key audit matter the following area of focus has been identified:  
Intangible asset – valuation

Materiality

Audit scope

Key audit
matters

92

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Statutory Auditor’s Report

Statutory Auditor’s Report  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

93

Statutory  
Auditor’s Report
continued

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of 
materiality. Our audit opinion aims to provide reasonable 
assurance that the consolidated financial statements are free 
from material misstatement. Misstatements may arise due to 
fraud or error. They are considered material if, individually or in 
aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the 
economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the consolidated 
financial statements.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined certain 
quantitative thresholds for materiality, including the overall 
Group materiality for the consolidated financial statements 
as a whole as set out in the table below. These, together with 
qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of 
our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit 
procedures and to evaluate the effect of misstatements, both 
individually and in aggregate, on the consolidated financial 
statements as a whole.

Overall Group materiality

CHF 2,800 thousand

Benchmark applied

Loss before tax

Rationale for the materiality 
benchmark applied

Based on our analysis and professional judgment we determined loss before tax is the most 
appropriate benchmark. We chose loss before tax to align our materiality threshold with the common 
practice in the U.S. for clinical stage life science companies. In addition, in our view, the selected 
materiality threshold is aligned with investors and Audit & Finance Committee expectations.

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional 
judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the 
consolidated financial statements of the current period. These 
matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the 
consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming 
our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion 
on these matters.

We agreed with the Audit & Finance Committee that we would 
report to them misstatements above CHF 280 thousand identified 
during our audit as well as any misstatements below that amount 
which, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

Audit scope
We tailored the scope of our audit in order to perform sufficient 
work to enable us to provide an opinion on the consolidated 
financial statements as a whole, taking into account the structure 
of the Group, the accounting processes and controls, and the 
industry in which the Group operates.

The Group financial statements are a consolidation of 2 reporting 
entities. We identified 1 reporting entity that, in our view, 
required an audit of their complete financial information due to 
their size or risk characteristics. None of the reporting entities 
excluded from our Group audit scope individually contributed 
more than 1% to net sales or total assets. Audit procedures 
were also performed over Group consolidation.

Intangible asset – valuation 

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

As described in Notes 6 and 7 to the consolidated financial 
statements, the Company has CHF 50,416 thousand of an 
inprocess research and development (IPR&D) intangible asset 
as of December 31, 2022. The asset is defined as an intangible 
asset not yet ready for use. Therefore, in accordance with 
IAS 36 ‘Impairment of asset’, the IPR&D asset is reviewed at 
least annually for impairment by assessing the fair value less 
costs to sell (recoverable amount) and comparing this to the 
carrying value of the asset. To determine the recoverable 
amount, management estimated the fair value less costs to 
sell of the intangible asset, using the same model used at the 
acquisition date. The significant assumptions used in the 
model include anticipated research and development costs, 
anticipated costs of goods and sales and marketing 
expenditures, probability of achieving clinical and regulatory 
development milestones in accordance with certain industry 
benchmarks, target indication prevalence and incidence rates, 
anticipated market share, general commercialization 
expectations such as anticipated pricing and uptake, expected 
patent life and market exclusivity periods, and the discount rate 
used to discount future cash flows.

The principal considerations for our determination that 
performing procedures relating to the intangible asset – 
valuation is a key audit matter are the significant judgment 
by management when determining the value of the intangible 
asset. This in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, 
subjectivity and effort in performing procedures and evaluating 
the audit evidence obtained related to the valuation of the 
intangible asset and management’s assumptions related to 
anticipated research and development costs, anticipated costs 
of goods and sales and marketing expenditures, probability 
of achieving clinical and regulatory development milestones in 
accordance with certain industry benchmarks, target indication 
prevalence and incidence rates, anticipated market share, 
general commercialization expectations such as anticipated 
pricing and uptake, expected patent life and market exclusivity 
periods, and the discount rate used to discount future cash 
flows. In addition, the audit effort involved the use of 
professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and 
evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our 
overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. 

These procedures included testing the effectiveness of 
controls relating to management’s valuation of the intangible 
asset. These procedures also included, among others, 
(i) testing management’s process for developing the fair value 
estimate; (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the discounted 
cash flow model; (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy 
of underlying data used in the model; and (iv) evaluating the 
reasonableness of the significant assumptions used by 
management related to anticipated research and development 
costs, anticipated costs of goods and sales and marketing 
expenditures, probability of achieving clinical and regulatory 
development milestones in accordance with certain industry 
benchmarks, target indication prevalence and incidence rates, 
anticipated market share, general commercialization 
expectations such as anticipated pricing and uptake, expected 
patent life and market exclusivity periods, and the discount rate. 
Evaluating management’s assumptions related to anticipated 
research and development costs, anticipated costs of goods 
and sales and marketing expenditures, probability of achieving 
clinical and regulatory development milestones in accordance 
with certain industry benchmarks, target indication prevalence 
and incidence rates, anticipated market share, general 
commercialization expectations such as anticipated pricing 
and uptake, expected patent life and market exclusivity periods, 
involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by 
management were reasonable considering (i) the consistency 
with market and industry data; and (ii) whether these 
assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other 
areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and 
knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of the Company’s 
discounted cash flow model and the discount rate assumption.

94

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Statutory Auditor’s Report

Statutory Auditor’s Report  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

95

Statutory  
Auditor’s Report
continued

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements
In accordance with article 728a paragraph 1 item 3 CO and 
PS-CH 890, we confirm that an internal control system exists 
which has been designed for the preparation of the consolidated 
financial statements according to the instructions of the Board 
of Directors.

We recommend that the consolidated financial statements 
submitted to you be approved.

PricewaterhouseCoopers SA
/s/ Michael Foley
Licensed audit expert
Auditor in charge
Lausanne, March 16, 2023

/s/ Alex Fuhrer
Licensed audit expert

Other information in the annual report
The Board of Directors is responsible for the other information. 
The other information comprises the information included in 
the annual report, but does not include the financial statements, 
the consolidated financial statements, the compensation report 
and our auditor’s reports thereon.

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not 
cover the other information and we do not express any form of 
assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial 
statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, 
in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially 
inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our 
knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be 
materially misstated.

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that 
there is a material misstatement of this other information, 
we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in 
this regard.

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors for the 
consolidated financial statements
The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of the 
consolidated financial statements, which give a true and fair view 
in accordance with IFRS and the provisions of Swiss law, and 
for such internal control as the Board of Directors determines is 
necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether 
due to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Board 
of Directors is responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters 
related to going concern and using the going concern basis of 
accounting unless the Board of Directors either intends to 
liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or has no realistic 
alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the 
consolidated financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are 
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, 
and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. 
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not 
a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Swiss 
law, ISAs and SA-CH will always detect a material misstatement 
when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and 
are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they 
could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated 
financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with Swiss law, ISAs and SA-CH, 
we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional 
scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

 ² Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the 
consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or 
error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to 
those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not 
detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is 
higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve 
collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, 
or the override of internal control.

 ² Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the 

audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate 
in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an 
opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control.

 ² Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used 

and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related 
disclosures made.

 ² Conclude on the appropriateness of the Board of Directors’ 
use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on 
the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty 
exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant 
doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. 
If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are 
required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related 
disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if 
such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our 

conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to 
the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or 
conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a 
going concern.

 ² Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the 
consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures, 
and whether the consolidated financial statements represent 
the underlying transactions and events in a manner that 
achieves fair presentation.

 ² Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the 
financial information of the entities or business activities 
within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated 
financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, 
supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain 
solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with the Board of Directors or its relevant 
committee regarding, among other matters, the planned scope 
and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including 
any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify 
during our audit.

We also provide the Board of Directors or its relevant committee 
with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical 
requirements regarding independence, and communicate with 
them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be 
thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, 
actions taken to eliminate threats or safeguards applied.

From the matters communicated with the Board of Directors or 
its relevant committee, we determine those matters that were 
of most significance in the audit of the consolidated financial 
statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit 
matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless 
law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or 
when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter 
should not be communicated in our report because the adverse 
consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to 
outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.

96

AC Immune Annual Report 2022  

  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

97

Statutory Financial  
Statements

98

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Statutory Balance Sheets

Statutory Income Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

99

Statutory  
Income Statements
for the year ended December 31,

Revenue

Operating expenses

Salaries and related costs

Operating expenses

Depreciation of fixed assets

Total operating expenses

Operating loss

Financial income

Financial expenses

Total net financial expenses

Loss for the period

Note

14

15

15

15

16

16

2022
CHF ‘000

 5,566

 (24,533)

 (46,353)

 (1,793)

 (72,679)

 (67,113)

 461

 (284)

 177

2021
CHF ‘000

 1,248

 (24,086)

 (50,124)

 (1,901)

 (76,111)

 (74,863)

 189

 (530)

 (341)

 (66,936)

 (75,204)

Statutory  
Balance Sheets
as of December 31,

Assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term financial assets

Other current receivables

– From third parties

– Intercompany

Prepaid expenses

Accrued income

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Long-term financial assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

Current liabilities

Trade payables

– To third parties

Accrued expenses

Deferred income

Total current liabilities

Shareholders’ equity

Share capital

Reserves from capital contributions

Accumulated losses brought forward

Treasury shares

Loss for the year

Total shareholders’ equity

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

Note

2022
CHF ‘000

2021
CHF ‘000

6

6

7

7

8

9

5

3

4

10

10

11

12

13

 31,514

 91,000

 82,198

 116,000

 392

 673

 3,980

 408

 428

 1,087

 1,937

 975

 127,967

 202,625

 361

 4,259

 50,416

 55,036

 183,003

 363

 5,116

 50,416

 55,895

 258,520

 915

 9,348

 587

 10,850

 1,795

 432,597

 (195,179)

 (124)

 (66,936)

 172,153

 183,003

 2,003

 16,734

 717

 19,454

 1,793

 432,576

 (119,975)

 (124)

 (75,204)

 239,066

 258,520

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
100

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

Statutory Income Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

101

Notes to the  
Statutory Financial Statements

1. General information
AC Immune SA is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company 
leveraging our two proprietary technology platforms to discover, 
design and develop novel proprietary medicines and diagnostics 
for prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases 
(NDD) associated with protein misfolding. Misfolded proteins 
are generally recognized as the leading cause of NDD, such as 
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), with 
common mechanisms and drug targets, such as amyloid beta 
(Abeta), Tau, alpha-synuclein (a-syn) and TDP-43. Our corporate 
strategy is founded upon a three-pillar approach that targets 
(i) AD, (ii) focused non-AD NDD including Parkinson’s disease, 
ALS and NeuroOrphan indications and (iii) diagnostics. We use 
our two unique proprietary platform technologies, SupraAntigen 
(conformation-specific biologics) and Morphomer (conformation-
specific small molecules), to discover, design and develop novel 
medicines and diagnostics to target misfolded proteins.

Current vs. non-current classification
The Company presents assets and liabilities in the balance sheet 
based on current/non-current classification. The Company 
classifies all amounts to be realized or settled within 12 months 
after the reporting period to be current and all other amounts to 
be non-current.

Foreign currency transactions
The financial statements are presented in Swiss Francs (CHF). 
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional 
currency (CHF) using prevailing exchange rates at the dates of 
the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in 
foreign currencies are translated into CHF at rates of exchange 
prevailing at the reporting date. Any gains or losses from these 
translations are included in the income statement in the period 
in which they arise.

The Company was initially incorporated as a limited liability 
company on February 13, 2003 in Basel and effective August 25, 
2003 was transitioned into a stock company. The Company’s 
corporate headquarters are located at EPFL Innovation Park 
Building B, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.

Non-monetary assets and liabilities at historical costs are 
converted at the foreign exchange rate at the time of the 
transaction. Any foreign exchange profits are deferred in the 
balance sheet as not having an effect on net income. Foreign 
exchange losses, on the other hand, are recorded in the profit 
and loss account.

The statutory financial statements of AC Immune SA for the 
period ended December 31, 2022 were authorized for issue in 
accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors on 
March 16, 2023 and will be submitted to the next Ordinary 
General Assembly.

Revenue recognition
Revenue includes upfront fees, milestone payments as well as 
revenue from research and development agreements associated 
with collaborations with third parties and grants from public 
institutions and foundations.

During 2022 and 2021, AC Immune had an annual average of 
more than 10 but less than 250 full time equivalent positions.

Where necessary, comparative figures have been adjusted to 
conform with changes in presentation in the current year.

2.  Summary of significant 
accounting principles

The present annual accounts have been prepared in accordance 
with the provisions of the Swiss law on accounting and financial 
reporting (32nd Title of the Swiss Code of Obligations). The 
principal accounting policies are set out below. These policies 
have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless 
otherwise stated.

License of intellectual property
Revenue from non-refundable, upfront license payments and 
performance milestones where the Company has continuing 
involvement is recognized over the estimated performance or 
agreement period, depending on the terms of the agreement. 
The recognition of revenue is prospectively changed for 
subsequent changes in the development or agreement period.

For collaboration agreements on product candidates (i) that are 
in clinical development, (ii) where the upfront payment reflects 
a payment for past investments the Company has made in the 
development of the product candidate, access to the product 
candidate, the associated intellectual property and our knowledge, 
and, (iii) where there is no further performance commitment, 
the Company recognizes the fair value of the upfront payment 

at the time of entering into the collaboration agreement. For 
collaboration agreements (i) in clinical development but where 
conditions (ii) and (iii) are not met, the Company recognizes 
revenue from upfront payments under our collaboration 
agreements pro-rata over the term of the estimated period of 
performance under each agreement.

For collaboration agreements, in addition to receiving upfront 
payments, the Company is also entitled to milestone and other 
contingent payments upon achieving pre-defined objectives.

Milestone payments
Revenue from milestones, if they are non-refundable and deemed 
substantive, is recognized upon successful accomplishment of 
the milestones. To the extent that non-substantive milestones 
are achieved, and the Company has remaining performance 
obligations, milestones are deferred and recognized as revenue 
over the estimated remaining period of performance.

Research and development services
The Company has certain arrangements with our collaboration 
partners that include contracting our full-time employees for 
research and development programs. These revenues are 
recorded in license and collaboration revenues as the services 
are performed.

Grant income
The Company has received grants, from time to time from 
institutions to support certain research projects. Grants are 
recorded in the income statement within Revenue when there is 
reasonable assurance that the Company will satisfy the underlying 
grant conditions and the grants will be received. In certain 
circumstances, grant income may be recognized before formal 
grantor acknowledgement of milestone achievements. To the 
extent required, grant income is deferred and recognized on a 
systematic basis over the periods in which the Company expects 
to recognize the related expenses for which the grants are 
intended to compensate.

Research and development expenditures
Given the stage of development of the Company’s products, all 
research expenditure is recognized as expense when incurred. 
Research and development expenditures include:

 ² the cost of acquiring, developing and manufacturing active 

pharmaceutical ingredients for product candidates that have 
not received regulatory approval, clinical trial materials and 
other research and development materials;

 ² fees and expenses incurred under agreements with contract 
research organizations, investigative sites and other entities 
in connection with the conduct of clinical trials and preclinical 
studies and related services, such as administrative, 
data-management and laboratory services;

 ² fees and costs related to regulatory filings and activities;

 ² costs associated with preclinical and clinical activities;

 ² employee-related expenses, including salaries and bonuses, 

benefits, and travel expenses; and

 ² all other allocated expenses such as facilities and information 

technology (IT) costs.

For external research contracts, expenses include those 
associated with contract research organizations, or CROs, or 
contract manufacturing organizations, or CMOs. The invoicing 
from CROs or CMOs for services rendered does not always 
align with the timing of services performed. We accrue the cost 
of services rendered in connection with CRO or CMO activities 
based on our estimate of the “stage of completion” for such 
contracted services. We maintain regular communication with 
our CRO or CMO vendors to gauge the reasonableness of our 
estimates and accrue expenses as of the balance sheet date in 
the financial statements based on facts and circumstances 
known at the time.

Registration costs for patents are part of the expenditure for 
research and development projects. Therefore, registration 
costs for patents are expensed when incurred as long as the 
research and development project concerned does not meet 
the criteria for capitalization.

Property, plant and equipment
Equipment is shown at historical acquisition cost, less 
accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment 
losses. Historical costs include expenditures that are directly 
attributable to the acquisition of the property, plant and 
equipment. Depreciation is calculated using a straight-line 
method to write off the cost of each asset to its residual value 
over its estimated useful life as follows:

102

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Statutory Income Statements

Statutory Income Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

103

Notes to the  
Statutory Financial Statements
continued

2. Summary of significant accounting principles continued

IT equipment

Laboratory equipment

Leasehold improvements / furniture

3 years

5 years

5 years

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and 
adjusted if appropriate, at each balance sheet date. Where an 
asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable 
amount, it is written down to its recoverable amount.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the 
disposal proceeds with the carrying amount and are included in 
the income statement.

Intangible asset:
In 2021, the Company acquired a program portfolio of therapeutics 
targeting a-syn, notably ACI-7104 (previously PD01), a clinically-
validated active vaccine candidate for the treatment of 
Parkinson’s disease (the Transferred Assets) from Affiris AG 
(Affiris). The Company acquired the Transferred Assets for USD 
53.7 (CHF 50.4) million and USD 5.0 (CHF 4.6) million in cash in 
exchange for 7,106,840 shares.

The Company reviews the in-process research and development 
(IPR&D) asset at least annually for impairment by assessing the fair 
value less costs to sell (recoverable amount) and comparing this 
to the carrying value of the asset. The Company has not determined 
the IPR&D asset to be impaired as of December 31, 2022.

The key assumptions used in the valuation model in accordance 
with an income approach to determine the recoverable amount 
include observable and unobservable key inputs as follows:

 ² Anticipated research and development costs;

 ² Anticipated costs of goods and sales and 

marketing expenditures;

The Company’s valuation model calculates the risk-adjusted, net 
cash flows through the projected period of market exclusivity 
across target sales regions. The Company uses a discount rate 
of 17% (15% for 2021), based on the assumed cost of capital for 
the Company over the forecast period.

Intercompany equity investment
The Company commenced financial operations in the United 
States in 2021 via the opening of its fully-owned subsidiary, 
AC Immune USA, Inc. (“the Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary is 
located at 1230 Ave of the Americas Ste 1634, New York, USA, 
and is registered and organized under the laws of Delaware, 
USA. The Company owns 100% of the Subsidiary, paying in less 
than USD 1 (CHF 1) for 100 shares of par value USD 0.01 of the 
Subsidiary’s shares.

Financial assets and liabilities
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are comprised of 
receivables, cash and cash equivalents, short-term financial 
assets and trade payables.

Receivables
Receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed 
payments that are not quoted in an active market. They arise 
when the Company provides money, goods or services directly 
to a debtor with no intention of trading the receivable. They are 
included in current assets, except for those with maturities 
greater than 12 months after the balance sheet date, which are 
classified as long-term assets. Receivables are recognized at 
their billing value. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded 
for potential estimated losses when there is evidence of the 
debtor’s inability to make required payments and the Company 
assesses on a forward-looking basis the expected credit losses 
associated with these receivables held at amortized cost.

 ² Probability of achieving clinical and regulatory development 
milestones in accordance with certain industry benchmarks;

 ² Target indication prevalence and incidence rates;

 ² Anticipated market share;

Short-term financial assets
Short-term financial assets are held with external financial 
institutions and comprise fixed-term deposits with maturities 
ranging from more than 3 until 12 months in duration.

 ² General commercialization expectations such as anticipated 

pricing and uptake;

 ² Expected patent life and market exclusivity periods; and

 ² Other metrics such as the tax rate.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include deposits held with external 
financial institutions and cash on hand. All cash and cash 
equivalents are either in cash or in deposits with original 

duration of less than 3 months. The Company assesses at each 
period whether there is objective evidence that financial assets 
are impaired.

Trade payables
Trade payables are recognized initially at nominal amount, 
which represents cost incurred.

Significant shareholders
Principal shareholders who own more than 5 percent of the voting rights as of December 31:

Principal shareholders

5% Shareholders
dievini Hopp BioTech holding GmbH & Co KG1
Varuma AG2
Affiris3
BVF Inc.4

Shares owned
2022

Number

Percent

Shares owned
2021

Number

 16,316,742

 11,999,999

 10,133,474

 7,428,379

 19.5%

 14.4%

 12.1%

 8.9%

 18,041,000

 11,999,999

 10,133,474

 7,062,379

Percent

 21.6%

 14.4%

 12.1%

 8.5%

1  Based on information set form in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC by dievini Hopp BioTech holding GmbH & Co KG (dievini) on February 10, 2023. These shares consist of 

16,316,742 shares held by dievini

  DH-Capital GmbH & Co. KG (DH-Capital) and OH Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG (OH Beteiligungen) are collectively the holders of 100% of the limited partner interest in dievini and 

therefore, control the voting and dispositive decisions of dievini together and may be deemed to beneficially own the shares held by dievini. Dietmar Hopp, Oliver Hopp and Daniel Hopp 
are the ultimate controlling persons of dievini, DH-Capital and OH Beteiligungen, and control the voting and investment decisions of the ultimate parent company of dievini and therefore, 
may be deemed to beneficially own the shares held by dievini by virtue of their status as controlling persons of dievini

  The address of the principal business office of dievini and Dietmar Hopp is c/o dievini Hopp BioTech holding GmbH & Co. KG, Johann-Jakob-Astor Straße 57, 69190 Walldorf, Germany. 
The address of the principal business office of DH-Capital GmbH & Co. KG and OH Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG is Opelstraße 28, 68789 St. Leon-Rot, Germany. The address of 
the principal business office of Oliver Hopp is Johann-Jakob-Astor-Straße 59, 69190 Walldorf, Germany

2  Represents 11,999,999 shares held by Varuma AG set forth in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 12, 2019. The address for Varuma AG is Aeschenvorstadt 55, CH 4051 

Basel, Switzerland. Rudolf Maag controls the voting and investment decisions of Varuma AG

3  Based on information set forth in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC by Affiris on February 14, 2023, (i) these shares consist of 6,724,840 shares held of record by Affiris AG, as well 
as 1,513,317 shares that were issuable upon the conversion of notes held by Santo Venture Capital GmbH and 1,895,317 shares that were issuable upon the conversion of notes 
held by FCPB Affi GmbH; and (iii) the address of Affiris AG is Karl-Farkas-Gasse 22, 1030 Vienna, Austria, the address of by Santo Venture Capital GmbH is Bergfeldstrasse 9, 
83607 Holzkirchen, Germany and the address of FCPB Affi GmbH is Freihamer Strasse 2, 82166 Gräfelfing, Germany. The convertible notes held by Santo Venture Capital GmbH 
and FCPB Affi GmbH were fully settled in Q4 2021

4  Based on information set forth in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC by BVF on February 14, 2023, these shares consist of 7,428,379 shares held of record by BVF Inc. The address 

of BVF Inc. is 44 Montgomery St., 40th Floor, San Francisco, California 94104

Operating lease liabilities
We have been a tenant at our current location in the EPFL 
Innovation Park in Ecublens/Lausanne since shortly after our 
inception in 2003. We lease our corporate, laboratory and other 
facilities under multiple operating leases that are month to month 
with no termination clause longer than a 12-month contractual 
notice period. Our lease agreements are structured such that 
we can exit these lease agreements without penalty provided 
we give the owner of our premises sufficient notice. As of 
December 31, 2022, the total minimum liability for the remaining 
term was CHF 971 thousand.

Provisions
Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present 
legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events where 
it is more likely than not that an outflow of resources will be 
required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate of the 
amount can be made.

Critical judgments and accounting estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with the 
Swiss Code of Obligations requires management to make 
judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application 
of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, 
liabilities, income and expenses.

The areas where AC Immune has had to make judgments, 
estimates and assumptions relate to (i) revenue recognition on 
collaboration and licensing agreements, (ii) clinical development 
accruals and (iii) income taxes and (iv) IPR&D asset. Actual results 
may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying 
assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to 
accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the 
estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

104

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Statutory Income Statements

Statutory Income Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

105

Notes to the  
Statutory Financial Statements
continued

Information relating to items on Balance Sheets and Income Statements

8. Prepaid expenses

3. Property, plant and equipment

In CHF thousands

Furniture and fixtures

IT equipment

Lab equipment

Leasehold improvements

Assets under construction

Total acquisition cost

Accumulated depreciation

Total property, plant and equipment

4. Intangible assets

In CHF thousands

Intangible assets

Total intangible assets

5. Long-term financial assets

In CHF thousands

Rental deposit (restricted cash)

Security deposit

Total long-term financial assets

6. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term financial assets

In CHF thousands

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term financial assets due in one year or less

Total cash and cash equivalents and short-term financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents by currency

CHF

EUR

USD

Total cash and cash equivalents

7. Other current receivables

In CHF thousands

Other current receivables

From third parties

Intercompany

Total other current receivables

As of December 31,

2022

 285

 1,909

 9,765

 1,640

 3

 13,602

 (9,343)

 4,259

2021

 265

 1,754

 9,142

 810

 695

 12,666

 (7,550)

 5,116

As of December 31,

2022

 50,416

 50,416

2021

 50,416

 50,416

As of December 31,

2022

 358

 3

 361

2021

 358

 5

 363

As of December 31,

2022

 31,514

 91,000

 122,514

 24,418

 1,313

 5,783

 31,514

2021

 82,198

 116,000

 198,198

 64,941

 2,253

 15,004

 82,198

As of December 31,

2022

2021

 392

 673

 1,065

 428

 1,087

 1,515

In CHF thousands

Prepaid expenses

Total prepaid expenses

9. Accrued income

In CHF thousands

Accrued income

Total accrued income

10. Trade payables and accrued expenses

In CHF thousands

Trade payables

Total trade payables

Accrued payroll expenses

Accrued R&D costs

Other accrued expenses

Total accrued expenses

Total trade payables and accrued expenses

As of December 31,

2022

 3,980

 3,980

2021

 1,937

 1,937

As of December 31,

2022

 408

 408

2021

 975

 975

As of December 31,

2022

 915

915

 2,829

 5,360

 1,159

 9,348

 10,263

2021

 2,003

2,003

 3,562

 10,031

 3,141

 16,734

 18,737

As of December 31, 2022 and 2021 the Company had no outstanding liabilities towards our pension insurance provider.

11. Deferred income

In CHF thousands

Deferred income

Total deferred income

As of December 31,

2022

 587

 587

2021

 717

 717

12. Share capital
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the issued share capital amounted to CHF 1,794,907 and CHF 1,792,702, respectively, and is 
composed of common shares of 89,745,365 and 89,635,115, respectively. The common shares have nominal values of CHF 0.02 
per share. All shares have been fully paid.

  
  
106

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Statutory Income Statements

Statutory Income Statements  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

107

Notes to the  
Statutory Financial Statements
continued

13. Treasury shares

Treasury shares – Tranche 1 (September 2020)

Treasury shares – Tranche 2 (May 2021)

Treasury shares reserved for Stock Option and Incentive Plan

Total

2022

Number

 1,220,861

 2,393,160

 2,600,000

 6,214,021

As of December 31,

KCHF

 24

 48

 52

2021

Number

 1,228,457

 2,393,160

 2,600,000

 124

 6,221,617

KCHF

24

 48

 52

124

Commencing in September 2020, the Company established an “at the market offering” (ATM) for the sale of up to USD 80 
(CHF 74.6) million worth of our common shares from time to time by entering into an Open Market Sale Agreement (Sales Agreement) 
with Jefferies LLC (Jefferies). We entered into a New Sales Agreement in Q2 2021 to replace and extend the ATM program. To date, 
the Company has sold 1,179,139 common shares previously held as treasury shares pursuant to the New Sales Agreement, raising 
USD 13.3 (CHF 12.1) million, net of underwriting fees and transaction costs.

As of December 31, 2022, the Company held in total 6,214,021 fully paid-in treasury shares as part of its ATM offerings. These shares 
were established via two tranches (one in September 2020 and one in September 2021, respectively). Under present Swiss tax laws, 
repurchases of shares for the purposes of cancellation are treated as a partial liquidation and are subject to 35% Swiss withholding 
tax on the difference between the repurchase price and the nominal value of the shares except, since January 1, 2011, to the extent 
these are booked against the reserves from capital contributions confirmed by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (apports de 
capital) if any. No partial liquidation treatment applies and no withholding tax is triggered if the shares are not repurchased for 
cancellation but held by the Company as treasury shares, provided the limitations imposed by corporate law are respected (the 
nominal value of such shares does not exceed 10% of the outstanding share capital and the purchase price is covered by freely 
disposable equity). However, regarding the above-mentioned 6,214,021 treasury shares and given the specificities of the ATM 
offering, the Company sought and obtained a tax ruling from the Swiss Federal Tax Administration confirming that their acquisition 
by the Company did not constitute a direct partial liquidation and therefore does not trigger withholding tax. Further, the Company 
has obtained a tax ruling from the concerned Cantonal Tax Authority at its place of incorporation, to obtain confirmation that the 
placement of these treasury shares for a subscription price superior to their nominal value will not trigger any corporate income 
tax for the Company.

Furthermore, 2,600,000 shares, from the first tranche, have been reserved by the board of directors for use only under the Company’s 
current Stock Option and Incentive Plan per a further tax ruling with the concerned Cantonal Tax Authority without corporate income 
tax consequences for the Company. None of those shares have been sold and are subsequently recorded as treasury shares as of 
December 31, 2022.

14. Revenue

In CHF thousands

Revenue

Total revenue

December 31,
2022

 5,566

 5,566

2021

 1,248

 1,248

15. Operating expenses

In CHF thousands

Salaries and related costs

– related to research and development

– related to general administrative

Total salaries and related cost

Research and development expenses

– related to research and development

Total research and development expenses

General and administrative expenses

– related to general and administrative

– related to offering costs

– related to intercompany transactions

Total general and administrative expenses

Depreciation of fixed assets

Total operating expenses

16. Financial income and expenses

In CHF thousands

Financial income

– interest income

– foreign exchange gain

– other financial income

– gain on asset disposal

Total financial income

Financial expenses

– bank fees

– interest expense

– loss on asset disposal

Total financial expenses

Total financial result, net

For the Year Ended December 31,

2022

2021

 17,137

 7,396

 24,533

 37,302

 37,302

 8,435

 1

 615

 9,051

 1,793

 72,679

 16,021

 8,065

 24,086

 40,076

 40,076

 9,508

 382

 158

 10,048

 1,901

 76,111

For the Year Ended December 31,
2021

2022

 69

 392

 —

 —

 461

 (8)

 (276)

 —

 (284)

 177

 —

 159

 26

 4

 189

 (7)

 (510)

 (13)

 (530)

 (341)

17. Shareholders rights and equity awards
The following table presents information on the allocation of shares and equity awards to executive officers, directors and employees 
in accordance with Article 959c, paragraph 2, number 11 Swiss Code of Obligations (CO) as of December 31, 2022:

Held by executive officers and directors

Held by employees

Total

Shares

Equity awards

Number

 2,852,431

 485,676

 3,338,107

KCHF

 5,426

 924

Number

 2,530,218

 1,561,681

 6,350

 4,091,899

KCHF

 10,050

 6,306

 16,356

Share values are based on the Company’s share price of USD 2.04 (CHF 1.90) on December 31, 2022. Equity awards are comprised 
of options and non-vested stock (restricted share units) awards. The fair value of our options is determined using the Black-Scholes-
Merton Model and our non-vested stock awards are valued using a reasonable estimate of the market value of the common stock 
on the date of the award. Total shares are derived from our transfer agent’s records as of December 31, 2022.

108

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Statutory Income Statements

Proposed Carry Forward of the Accumulated Losses  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

109

Notes to the  
Statutory Financial Statements
continued

Proposed Carry Forward of the  
Accumulated Losses

Accumulated losses carried forward

In CHF thousands

Accumulated losses at the beginning of the period

Loss for the year

Accumulated losses available to the Annual General Meeting

As of December 31,

2022

 (195,179)

 (66,936)

2021

 (119,975)

 (75,204)

 (262,115)

 (195,179)

Motion of the Board of Directors on the proposed carry forward of the 
accumulated losses

In CHF thousands

Accumulated losses available to the Annual General Meeting 

Carried forward

As of December 31,

Resolution of
Motion of the
Board of
 the Annual
Directors General Meeting
2021

2022

 (262,115)

 (262,115)

 (195,179)

 (195,179)

The table below presents beneficial ownership of executive officers and directors, including affiliated entities, if applicable, in 
accordance with Article 663c CO as of December 31, 2022:

Beneficial ownership of executive officers and directors

Andrea Pfeifer, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Director

Marie Kosco-Vilbois, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer

Johannes Rolf Streffer, M.D., Chief Medical Officer

Piergiorgio Donati, Chief Technical Operations Officer

Christopher Roberts, Interim Chief Financial Officer

Howard Donovan, Chief Human Resources Officer

Jean-Fabien Monin, Chief Administrative Officer

Douglas Williams, Ph.D., Chair and Director

Thomas Graney, Director

Werner Lanthaler, Ph.D., Director

Roy Twyman, M.D., Director

Carl June, M.D., Director

Alan Colowick, M.D., Director

Monika Bütler, Ph.D., Director

Monica Shaw, M.D., Director

Number of 
shares
2022

Number of 
equity awards
2022

2,303,420

1,024,988

 64,365

 181,212

 4,500

 2,500

 —

 292,411

 —

 4,023

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 282,619

 202,557

 143,205

 28,800

 32,304

 131,289

 110,909

 91,511

 91,589

 97,865

 76,670

 61,214

 79,664

 79,664

18. Gender Equality Act
AC Immune is in the process of conducting its equal pay analysis in accordance with the Gender Equality Act (GEA) using the Logib 
standard analysis tool for the period ended June 30, 2021. Once complete, the Company will then subject these results to an 
examination by a licensed audit firm in accordance with article 13d of the GEA. We anticipate to report the results of this examination 
with the filing of our fiscal year end 2023 financial statements in March 2024. 

19. Post balance sheet events
Management has evaluated subsequent events after the balance sheet date, through the issuance of these financial statements, for 
appropriate accounting and disclosures. The Company has determined that there were no other such events that warrant disclosure 
or recognition in these financial statements.

110

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Statutory Auditor’s Report

Statutory Auditor’s Report  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

111

Statutory  
Auditor’s Report
to the General Meeting of AC Immune SA  
Ecublens

Report on the audit of the financial statements 
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of AC Immune SA 
(the Company), which comprise the balance sheet as of 
December 31, 2022, and the income statement for the year 
then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a 
summary of significant accounting policies.

In our opinion, the financial statements (pages 98 to 109) comply 
with Swiss law and the company’s articles of incorporation.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Swiss law and 
Swiss Standards on Auditing (SA-CH). Our responsibilities under 
those provisions and standards are further described in the 
‘Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements’ 
section of our report. We are independent of the Company in 
accordance with the provisions of Swiss law and the requirements 
of the Swiss audit profession, and we have fulfilled our other 
ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient 
and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Our audit approach

Overview

Overall materiality: CHF 2,670 thousand

Materiality

We tailored the scope of our audit in order to perform sufficient work to enable us to provide an 
opinion on the financial statements as a whole, taking into account the structure of the Company, 
the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which the Company operates.

As key audit matter the following area of focus has been identified:
Intangible asset – Valuation

Audit scope

Key audit
matters

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of 
materiality. Our audit opinion aims to provide reasonable 
assurance that the financial statements are free from material 
misstatement. Misstatements may arise due to fraud or error. 
They are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they 
could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions 
of users taken on the basis of the financial statements.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined certain 
quantitative thresholds for materiality, including the overall 
materiality for the financial statements as a whole as set out in 
the table below. These, together with qualitative considerations, 
helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, 
timing and extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the 
effect of misstatements, both individually and in aggregate, on 
the financial statements as a whole.

Overall materiality

CHF 2,670 thousand

Benchmark applied

Loss before tax

Rationale for the materiality 
benchmark applied

Based on our analysis and professional judgment we determined loss before tax is the most 
appropriate benchmark. We chose loss before tax to align our materiality threshold with the 
common practice in the U.S. for clinical stage life science companies. In addition, in our view, the 
selected materiality threshold is aligned with investors and Audit & Finance Committee expectations.

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional 
judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the 
financial statements of the current period. These matters were 
addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements 
as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not 
provide a separate opinion on these matters.

We agreed with the Audit & Finance Committee that we would 
report to them misstatements above CHF 260 thousand identified 
during our audit as well as any misstatements below that amount 
which, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

Audit scope
We designed our audit by determining materiality and assessing 
the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. 
In particular, we considered where subjective judgements were 
made; for example, in respect of significant accounting estimates 
that involved making assumptions and considering future events 
that are inherently uncertain. As in all of our audits, we also 
addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, 
including among other matters consideration of whether there 
was evidence of bias that represented a risk of material 
misstatement due to fraud.

112

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Statutory Auditor’s Report

Statutory Auditor’s Report  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

113

Statutory  
Auditor’s Report
continued

Intangible asset – Valuation

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

As described in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company 
has CHF 50,416 thousand of an inprocess research and 
development (IPR&D) intangible asset as of December 31, 
2022. The asset is defined as an intangible asset not yet ready 
for use. Therefore, the IPR&D asset is reviewed at least annually 
for impairment by assessing the fair value less costs to sell 
(recoverable amount) and comparing this to the carrying 
value of the asset. To determine the recoverable amount, 
management estimated the fair value less costs to sell of the 
intangible asset, using the same model used at the acquisition 
date. The significant assumptions used in the model include 
anticipated research and development costs, anticipated costs 
of goods and sales and marketing expenditures, probability of 
achieving clinical and regulatory development milestones in 
accordance with certain industry benchmarks, target indication 
prevalence and incidence rates, anticipated market share, general 
commercialization expectations such as anticipated pricing and 
uptake, expected patent life and market exclusivity periods, and 
the discount rate used to discount future cash flows.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing 
procedures relating to the intangible asset – valuation is a key 
audit matter are the significant judgment by management when 
determining the value of the intangible asset. This in turn led to 
a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in 
performing procedures and evaluating the audit evidence 
obtained related to the valuation of the intangible asset and 
management’s assumptions related to anticipated research and 
development costs, anticipated costs of goods and sales and 
marketing expenditures, probability of achieving clinical and 
regulatory development milestones in accordance with certain 
industry benchmarks, target indication prevalence and incidence 
rates, anticipated market share, general commercialization 
expectations such as anticipated pricing and uptake, expected 
patent life and market exclusivity periods, and the discount 
rate used to discount future cash flows. In addition, the audit 
effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill 
and knowledge.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and 
evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our 
overall opinion on the financial statements. 

These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls 
relating to management’s valuation of the intangible asset. 
These procedures also included, among others, (i) testing 
management’s process for developing the fair value estimate; 
(ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow 
model; (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying 
data used in the model; and (iv) evaluating the reasonableness 
of the significant assumptions used by management related to 
anticipated research and development costs, anticipated costs 
of goods and sales and marketing expenditures, probability of 
achieving clinical and regulatory development milestones in 
accordance with certain industry benchmarks, target indication 
prevalence and incidence rates, anticipated market share, 
general commercialization expectations such as anticipated 
pricing and uptake, expected patent life and market exclusivity 
periods, and the discount rate. Evaluating management’s 
assumptions related to anticipated research and development 
costs, anticipated costs of goods and sales and marketing 
expenditures, probability of achieving clinical and regulatory 
development milestones in accordance with certain industry 
benchmarks, target indication prevalence and incidence rates, 
anticipated market share, general commercialization expectations 
such as anticipated pricing and uptake, expected patent life and 
market exclusivity periods, involved evaluating whether the 
assumptions used by management were reasonable considering 
(i) the consistency with market and industry data; and (ii) whether 
these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in 
other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and 
knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of the Company’s 
discounted cash flow model and the discount rate assumption.

Other information
The Board of Directors is responsible for the other information. 
The other information comprises the information included in 
the annual report, but does not include the financial statements, 
the consolidated financial statements, the compensation report 
and our auditor’s reports thereon.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the 
other information and we do not express any form of assurance 
conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our 
responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent 
with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the 
audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that 
there is a material misstatement of this other information, 
we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in 
this regard. 

Board of Directors’ responsibilities for the 
financial statements
The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of the 
financial statements in accordance with the provisions of Swiss 
law and the company’s articles of incorporation, and for such 
internal control as the Board of Directors determines is necessary 
to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free 
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Board of Directors is 
responsible for assessing the Company’s ability to continue as 
a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to 
going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting 
unless the Board of Directors either intends to liquidate the 
Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative 
but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an 
auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance 
is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit 
conducted in accordance with Swiss law and SA-CH will always 
detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can 
arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually 
or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence 
the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these 
financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with Swiss law and SA-CH, 
we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional 
scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

 ² Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the 
financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and 
perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain 
audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis 
for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement 
resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, 
as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, 
misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

 ² Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the 

audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate 
in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an 
opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control.

 ² Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used 

and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related 
disclosures made.

 ² Conclude on the appropriateness of the Board of Directors’ use 
of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the 
audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists 
related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt 
on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we 
conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to 
draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures 
in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, 
to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit 
evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. 
However, future events or conditions may cause the Company 
to cease to continue as a going concern.

114

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Statutory Auditor’s Report

Shareholder Information  | AC Immune Annual Report 2022

115

Statutory  
Auditor’s Report
continued

We communicate with the Board of Directors or its relevant 
committee regarding, among other matters, the planned scope 
and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including 
any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify 
during our audit.

We also provide the Board of Directors or its relevant committee 
with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical 
requirements regarding independence, and communicate with 
them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be 
thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, 
actions taken to eliminate threats or safeguards applied.

From the matters communicated with the Board of Directors or 
its relevant committee, we determine those matters that were 
of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of 
the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. 
We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law 
or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or 
when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a 
matter should not be communicated in our report because the 
adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected 
to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements
In accordance with article 728a paragraph 1 item 3 CO and 
PS-CH 890, we confirm that an internal control system exists 
which has been designed for the preparation of the financial 
statements according to the instructions of the Board of Directors.

We further confirm that the proposed carry forward of the 
accumulated losses complies with Swiss law and the company’s 
articles of incorporation. We recommend that the financial 
statements submitted to you be approved.

PricewaterhouseCoopers SA
/s/ Michael Foley
Licensed audit expert
Auditor in charge
Lausanne, March 16, 2023

/s/ Alex Fuhrer
Licensed audit expert

Auditor:
PricewaterhouseCoopers SA

Independent Proxy:
Reymond & Associés

Corporate Attorneys:
Switzerland: Bär & Karrer AG
United States: Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Shareholder  
Information

Annual General Meeting:
June 23, 2023

Registered Office:
École Polytechnique Fédérale Lausanne (EPFL) 
Innovation Park, Building B
1015 Lausanne, Switzerland

Exchange listing:
Nasdaq 
Ticker: ACIU

International contact:
+41 21 345 91 21
info@acimmune.com
Information is available at www.acimmune.com

Disclaimer
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this Annual 
Report (the “Annual Report”) to “AC Immune,” “ACIU,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “us” 
or similar terms refer to AC Immune SA together with its subsidiary. The Company owns 
various registered and unregistered trademarks, for some of which protection has been 
obtained or is being sought, including Morphomer™, SupraAntigen® and its corporate name, 
logo and Nasdaq Global Market symbol. All other trademarks, trade names and service 
marks of other companies appearing in this Annual Report are the property of their 
respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this Annual 
Report may be referred to without the respective ® and ™ symbols, but such references 
should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert, to the 
fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto. The Company does not intend to 
use or display other companies’ trademarks and/or trade names to imply a relationship 
with, or endorsement or sponsorship of the Company by, any other companies.

This Annual Report contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. 
All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this Annual Report, 
including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, 
business strategy, product candidates, product pipeline, ongoing and planned clinical 
studies, including those of our collaboration partners, regulatory approvals, research and 
development (R&D) costs, timing and likelihood of success, as well as plans and objectives 
of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Many of the 
forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report can be identified by the use 
of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “should,” “plan,” 
“intend,” “estimate,” “will” and “potential,” among others.

116

AC Immune Annual Report 2022 | Shareholder Information

AC Immune SA
EPFL Innovation Park
Building B
1015 Lausanne
Switzerland

General inquiries: info@acimmune.com

Investor inquiries: ir@acimmune.com

Phone: +41 21 345 91 21