AC Immune rises as early data shows new brain scan can spot dementia protein

AC Immune SA

19/03/2026 11:08

** Shares of biotech firm AC Immune ACIU.O rise 8% to $3.35 premarket

** Co says early-stage trial shows its PET imaging agent can detect TDP‑43, a harmful protein linked to several brain diseases

** TDP‑43 buildup is seen in conditions such as frontotemporal dementia, a disease that damages personality and language, and ALS, which affects nerve cells controlling muscles - ACIU

** Co says patients with a genetic form of frontotemporal dementia showed higher tracer uptake in expected brain regions than healthy volunteers

** Says imaging agent was well tolerated, with a safety profile suitable for further testing

** Adds final data from first part of study expected in H1 2026; further testing underway in patients with dementia-related conditions

** Shares rose ~16% in 2025

(Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru)

((Sahil.Pandey@thomsonreuters.com))