Why AC Immune Stock Zoomed Almost 15% Higher Today

By Eric Volkman – Apr 7, 2026 at 4:54PM ESTKey PointsThis will help fund the biotech's development of a unique treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.The company could earn more than $2.1 billion if this work is successful.AC Immune (ACIU +15.19%) isn't a familiar name to many investors, but that might be changing. The Switzerland-based biotech saw its stock zoom nearly 15% skyward on Tuesday, following news of a favorably revised collaboration agreement with a pharmaceutical sector titan within our borders. Fruitful partnership AC Immune, a clinical-stage biotech that develops precision medicine targeting neurodegenerative disorders, is currently in a partnership with Eli Lilly. The two companies have a license and collaboration agreement centered on AC Immune's Morphomer platform, from which it aims to develop next-generation treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative afflictions. Image source: Getty Images. The European company announced on Tuesday that the agreement, dating back to 2018, has been amended. Eli Lilly will pay AC Immune 10 million Swiss francs ($12.5 million) as an upfront payment and will be eligible for a subsequent milestone payment upon phase 1 clinical trial dosing. All told, AC Immune could be paid more than 1.7 billion Swiss francs ($2.1 million) if it meets certain clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones with a successfully developed drug. It'll also be eligible for royalties from sales of such a product or products. ExpandNASDAQ: ACIUAc ImmuneToday's Change(15.19%) $0.41Current Price$3.11Key Data PointsMarket Cap$275MDay's Range$2.77 - $3.1452wk Range$1.43 - $4.00Volume607KAvg Vol297K A biotech to watch AC Immune also indicated that its development is entering an exciting new stage. It quoted CEO Andrea Pfeifer as saying that "This collaboration exemplifies our work toward precision prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. We expect to initiate Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies imminently." Although $10 million isn't a huge amount for the massive Eli Lilly, it's quite the pile for a relatively small, clinical-stage biotech like AC Immune. It shows that the pharmaceutical giant believes in its partner's program and is willing to put its money where its mouth is. Investors were right to greet this development very positively.Read NextApr 7, 2026 •By Parkev Tatevosian, CFAGreat News for Eli Lilly Stock Investors!Apr 7, 2026 •By Eric VolkmanWhy Pfizer Stock Tumbled on TuesdayApr 7, 2026 •By James HalleyThis Medical Device Stock Has Compounded at 13% Per Year for a DecadeApr 7, 2026 •By Prosper Junior BakinyThis Healthcare Stock Has No Debt and a Near-Monopoly in Its MarketApr 7, 2026 •By Prosper Junior BakinyThis Beaten-Down Drug Stock Is Down Over 10% -- Is It Finally a Buy?Apr 7, 2026 •By Billy DubersteinWhy UnitedHealth Group Rallied TodayAbout the AuthorEric Volkman is a contributing Motley Fool finance and stock market analyst. Previously, Eric was an equities analyst at European investment bank Raiffeisen Capital and Investment. He’s also been a freelance finance writer since 1995. He studied at Susquehanna University.TMFVolkmanStocks MentionedAc ImmuneNASDAQ: ACIU$3.11(+15.19%)+$0.41Eli LillyNYSE: LLY$931.09(+0.43%)+$4.03*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.