UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT
OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16
OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of May, 2017
Commission File Number: 001-37891
AC IMMUNE SA
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
EPFL Innovation Park
Building B
1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form 20-F |
X |
Form 40-F |
|
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Yes |
|
No |
X |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
Yes | No |
X |
Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
AC IMMUNE SA
|
||
By: | /s/ Andrea Pfeifer | |
Name: | Andrea Pfeifer | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
By: | /s/ Joerg Hornstein | ||||
Name: | Joerg Hornstein | ||||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | ||||
Date: | May 11, 2017 |
Exhibit Index
Exhibit Number |
Description |
99.1 | Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (IFRS) as of and for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 |
99.2 | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
99.3 | Press Release dated May 11, 2017 |
99.4 | AC Immune SA Articles of Association dated March 30, 2017 |
Exhibit 99.1
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Interim Condensed Financial
Statements (Unaudited) (IFRS) as of and for the three month period ended March 31, 2017
AC Immune SA
EPFL Innovation Park
Building B
1015 Lausanne
Switzerland
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Balance Sheets
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited).
1
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Statements of Income / (Loss)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, |
||||||||||||
Notes | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
(in CHF thousands except for
share and per share data) |
||||||||||||
Revenue | ||||||||||||
Contract revenue | 3 | 2,006 | 487 | |||||||||
Total revenue | 2,006 | 487 | ||||||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||||||
Research & development expenses | (7,454 | ) | (5,372 | ) | ||||||||
General & administrative expenses | (2,386 | ) | (899 | ) | ||||||||
Total operating expenses | (9,840 | ) | (6,271 | ) | ||||||||
Operating loss | (7,834 | ) | (5,784 | ) | ||||||||
Finance income | 13 | 1 | ||||||||||
Finance costs | (1,634 | ) | (392 | ) | ||||||||
Finance result, net | (1,621 | ) | (391 | ) | ||||||||
Loss before tax | (9,455 | ) | (6,175 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax expense | - | - | ||||||||||
Loss for the period | 4 | (9,455 | ) | (6,175 | ) | |||||||
Loss per share (EPS): | ||||||||||||
Basic and diluted, loss for the period attributable to equity holders | (0.17 | ) | (0.13 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted-average number of shares used to compute EPS basic and diluted | 56,855,987 | 46,402,500 |
Statements of Comprehensive Income / (Loss)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||
(in CHF thousands) | ||||||||
Loss for the period | (9,455 | ) | (6,175 | ) | ||||
Other comprehensive loss not to be reclassified to income or loss in subsequent periods (net of tax) | ||||||||
Re-measurement losses on defined benefit plans | - | (184 | ) | |||||
Total comprehensive loss, net of tax | (9,455 | ) | (6,359 | ) |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited).
2
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Statements of Changes in Equity
Share
capital |
Share
premium |
Accumulated
|
Total | |||||||||||||
(in CHF thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2016 | 928 | 110,496 | (40,381 | ) | 71,043 | |||||||||||
Net loss for the period | - | - | (6,175 | ) | (6,175 | ) | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | - | - | (184 | ) | (184 | ) | ||||||||||
Total comprehensive loss | - | - | (6,359 | ) | (6,359 | ) | ||||||||||
Share-based payments | - | - | 38 | 38 | ||||||||||||
Transaction costs | - | (43 | ) | - | (43 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2016 | 928 | 110,453 | (46,702 | ) | 64,679 |
Share
capital |
Share
premium |
Accumulated
losses |
Total | |||||||||||||
(in CHF thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2017 | 1,135 | 188,166 | (46,921 | ) | 142,380 | |||||||||||
Net loss for the period | - | - | (9,455 | ) | (9,455 | ) | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Total comprehensive loss | - | - | (9,455 | ) | (9,455 | ) | ||||||||||
Share-based payments | - | - | 100 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 4 | 25 | - | 29 | ||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2017 | 1,139 | 188,191 | (56,276 | ) | 133,054 |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited).
3
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Statements of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||
(in CHF thousands) | ||||||||
Operating activities | ||||||||
Net loss for the period | (9,455 | ) | (6,175 | ) | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss for the period to net cash flows : | ||||||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | 99 | 63 | ||||||
Finance result, net | 1,621 | 391 | ||||||
Share-based compensation expense | 100 | 38 | ||||||
Changes in pensions | 90 | 20 | ||||||
Changes in working capital: | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses | (1,005 | ) | (683 | ) | ||||
Accrued income | 357 | (59 | ) | |||||
Other current receivables | (973 | ) | (1,387 | ) | ||||
Other current liabilities | (478 | ) | (274 | ) | ||||
Deferral of unearned revenue | (393 | ) | 1,108 | |||||
Accounts payable | (1,856 | ) | (725 | ) | ||||
Cash used in operating activities | (11,893 | ) | (7,683 | ) | ||||
Financial costs | (4 | ) | (3 | ) | ||||
Exchange differences - gain, on payables / receivables | 13 | 1 | ||||||
Net cash flows used in operating activities | (11,884 | ) | (7,685 | ) | ||||
Investing activities | ||||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (601 | ) | (210 | ) | ||||
Rent deposit | (40 | ) | - | |||||
Net cash flows used in investing activities | (641 | ) | (210 | ) | ||||
Financing activities | ||||||||
Transaction costs of issue of shares | - | (372 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from issuance of shares - option plan | 29 | - | ||||||
Cost on issue of shares - option plan | - | (6 | ) | |||||
Net cash flows (used in) / provided by financing activities | 29 | (378 | ) | |||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (12,496 | ) | (8,273 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1 | 152,210 | 76,522 | ||||||
Exchange gain / (loss) on cash and cash equivalents | (1,630 | ) | (389 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31 | 138,084 | 67,860 | ||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (12,496 | ) | (8,273 | ) |
Additional Information:
Non-cash property, plant and equipment purchase consideration was CHF 462 thousand for the three months ended March 2017.
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these Interim Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited).
4
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(CHF thousands, except share and per share amounts)
1. Corporate information
AC Immune SA (the “Company,” or “AC Immune,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “us”) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging our two proprietary technology platforms to discover, design and develop novel, proprietary medicines for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with protein misfolding. Misfolded proteins are generally recognized as the leading cause of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, or AD, and Parkinson’s disease, or PD, with common mechanisms and drug targets, such as Abeta, tau and alpha-synuclein. Our lead product candidate is crenezumab, a humanized, monoclonal, conformation-specific anti-Abeta antibody that we developed using our proprietary SupraAntigen platform. The two Phase 3 clinical studies for crenezumab were commenced in early 2016 and in February 2017, respectively. We use our two unique proprietary platform technologies, SupraAntigen (conformation-specific biologics) and Morphomer (conformation-specific small molecules), to discover, design and develop medicines and diagnostics to target misfolded proteins.
The Interim Condensed Financial Statements of AC Immune SA as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were authorized for issuance by the Company’s Audit Committee on May 10, 2017.
2. Basis of preparation and changes to the Company’s accounting policies
Statement of compliance
These Interim Condensed Financial Statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 (IAS34), Interim Financial Reporting , and such financial information should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Basis of measurement
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Critical judgments and accounting estimates
The preparation of the Company’s interim condensed financial statements in conformity with IAS 34 requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the interim condensed financial statements and accompanying notes and the related application of accounting policies as it relates to 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, (iii) pensions, (iv) income taxes, and, (v) share-based compensation. 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.
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 estimated tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is zero. The estimated tax expense is based on the best estimate of the weighted average annual income tax rate expected for the full financial year to December 31, 2017. As we expect to incur a loss for the full year, we do not anticipate any income tax expense.
Consistent with prior years, the Company has not recognized any deferred tax assets relating to tax losses available as the recognition criteria have not been met at the balance sheet date.
5
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Accounting policies, new standards, interpretations and amendments adopted by the Company
The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the interim condensed financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Company’s annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, except for the adoption of new standards and interpretations effective as of January 1, 2017. The Company has not adopted any other standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Company is currently analyzing the impact of IFRS 9 ( Financial Instruments ), IFRS 15 ( Revenue from Contracts with Customers ) and IFRS 16 ( Leases ) which have been issued by the IASB but not yet adopted on our financial statements. Further consideration of the pending adoption of IFRS is discussed below.
The Company is currently analyzing the impact of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which amends revenue recognition requirements and establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The standard replaces IAS 18 Revenu e and IAS 11 Construction Contracts and Related Interpretations . This analysis includes reviewing current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the requirements under the new standard. The Company has initiated contract reviews and expects to complete the contract evaluations and validate results by the end of the third quarter of 2017. The Company is also evaluating its accounting policies and the new disclosure requirements and expects to complete its evaluations of the impacts of the accounting and disclosure requirements on its business processes and controls by the end of the third quarter of 2017. Full implementation will be completed by the end of 2017. The Company will continue to evaluate the method of adoption and the potential impact that IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers may have on our financial position and results of operations.
The nature and the effect of these changes are immaterial to the Company’s interim condensed financial statements.
Going concern
The interim condensed financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the Company will continue as a going concern after considering the Company’s cash position of CHF 138.1 million as of March 31, 2017.
To date, the Company has financed its cash requirements primarily from share issuances and revenues from collaboration agreements. 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. 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 biotech and pharmaceutical industry, (iii) successfully move its product candidates through clinical development, (iv) attract and retain key personnel, and (v) acquire capital to support its operations.
3. Revenues
AC Immune generated revenues of CHF 2.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017, an increase of CHF 1.5 million over the comparable period in 2016. The increase in revenues was primarily driven by the EUR 1 million (CHF 1.1 million) milestone payment invoiced to Piramal Imaging for the initiation of “Part B” of the first-in-man phase 1 clinical trial for PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) and CHF 0.9 million in research contribution revenues related to the Alpha-synuclein and TDP-43 PET Imaging Tracers Biogen collaboration. In the three months ended March 31, 2017, revenues also included CHF 51 thousand for a research grant from the LuMind Research Down Syndrome Foundation to support our ACI-24 phase 1 clinical study in patients with Down Syndrome.
6
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||
in CHF thousands | ||||||||
Collaboration and license revenue | 1,955 | 381 | ||||||
Grant revenue | 51 | 106 | ||||||
Total revenues | 2,006 | 487 |
3.1. Licensing and collaboration agreements
3.1.1 Research Collaboration and license revenue
Alpha-synuclein and TDP-43 PET Imaging Tracers - Collaboration with Biogen
On April 13, 2016, AC Immune entered into a non-exclusive research collaboration agreement with Biogen International GmbH, or Biogen. Under the agreement, the Company and Biogen have agreed to collaborate in the research and early clinical development of our alpha-synuclein PET Tracer program for Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies, and a second program for the identification, research and development of novel PET ligands against TDP-43, a protein recently linked to neurodegeneration in diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In addition, we have agreed to share the costs of the collaboration, with Biogen primarily funding the majority of research costs, subject to a cap, which includes an upfront technology access fee and funding towards research and development personnel. We will own all intellectual property rights to any invention relating to alpha-synuclein or TDP-43 PET tracers.
In April 2016, we received CHF 1.5 million for the technology access fee, which is being deferred and recognized over a twelve month period. As of March 31, 2017, CHF 128 thousand is recorded as a current liability in deferred income and is expected to be recognized as revenue in 2017.
Tau-PET imaging agent in AD – Collaboration agreement of 2014 with Piramal Imaging
In March 2017, we invoiced Piramal for a EUR 1 million (CHF 1.1 million) milestone related to the initiation of “Part B” of the first-in-man Phase 1 clinical trial for PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy). As we met all performance obligations on reaching the milestone, we have recognized this income as revenue.
We are also entitled to further clinical milestones totaling EUR 6 million should the compound make it through to Phase 3 clinical studies and are further entitled to potential regulatory, commercialization and sales based milestones totaling EUR 150 million.
3.1.2 Milestones
Tau Vaccine in AD – Collaboration agreement of 2014 with Janssen Pharmaceuticals
In December of 2014, we entered into a partnership with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a Johnson & Johnson company, to develop and commercialize therapeutic anti-tau vaccines for the treatment of AD and potentially other tauopathies. The partnership includes a worldwide exclusive license and research collaboration. We and Janssen will co-develop the lead therapeutic vaccine, ACI-35, through Phase 1b completion. From Phase 2 and onward, Janssen will assume responsibility for the clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of ACI-35. ACI-35 is an active therapeutic vaccine stimulating the patient’s immune system to produce a polyclonal antibody response against phosphorylated tau protein.
The agreement also allows for the collaboration to be expanded to a second indication based on the same anti-tau vaccine program and intellectual property related to this program.
In January 2016, we received payments of CHF 1.5 million for pre-payment of research and external research costs for 2016. We recognized the proceeds over a 12-month period on a straight-line basis pursuant to the terms of the collaboration agreement. In May 2016, we received a CHF 4.9 million payment for reaching a clinical milestone in the Phase 1b study. As we met all performance obligations on reaching the milestone, we have recognized this income as revenue.
7
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
As part of this agreement, AC Immune and Janssen have committed to spending CHF 13.8 million in clinical development until the end of Phase 1b. Any remaining commitment not spent on the Phase 1b study will be carried forward to cover additional development costs with Janssen continuing to be responsible for any costs above the stated CHF 13.8 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Janssen may terminate the agreement at any time after completion of the Phase 1b clinical study by providing 90 days notice to us.
Anti-tau antibody in AD – Collaboration agreement of 2012 with Genentech
In June 2012, we entered into an exclusive global license agreement and research collaboration with Genentech, Inc. to commercialize our anti-tau antibodies for use as immunotherapeutics. The value of this exclusive, worldwide alliance is potentially greater than CHF 400 million and includes upfront and 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 high single digits. The agreement also provides for collaboration on two additional indications built on the same anti-tau antibody program as well as a potential anti-tau diagnostic product.
As of March 31, 2017 we have received payments totaling CHF 45 million including a CHF 14 million milestone recognized in the second quarter of 2016 related to the start of phase 1 clinical trials for this program.
Genentech may terminate the agreement at any time by providing 90 days notice to us. In such event all costs incurred are still refundable.
Anti-Abeta antibody in AD - Collaboration agreement of 2006 with Genentech
In November 2006, AC Immune signed an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement for crenezumab, our humanized monoclonal antibody targeting misfolded Abeta. Genentech commenced a first Phase 3 clinical study in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 and in February 2017, Genentech started a second Phase 3 clinical trial. 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. These percentage rates range from the high single digits to the mid-teens.
Under the agreement with Genentech, we may become eligible to receive payments totaling up to approximately $340 million, excluding royalties. To date, we have received total payments of $65 million (CHF 70.1 million).
4. Loss per share
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, |
||||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||
(in CHF thousands except for share and per share data, unaudited) | ||||||||
Net loss attributable to equity holders of the Company | (9,455 | ) | (6,175 | ) | ||||
Loss per share (EPS): | ||||||||
Basic and diluted, loss for the period attributable to equity holders | (0.17 | ) | (0.13 | ) | ||||
Weighted-average number of shares used to compute EPS basic and diluted | 56,855,987 | 46,402,500 |
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of shares issued and outstanding. Weighted-average dilutive shares outstanding excludes antidilutive share options and non-vested restricted share awards that totaled 1,611,547 and 3,557,473, respectively from the computation of diluted loss per common share for the three-months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.
8
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
5. Property, plant and equipment
For the three months ended March 31, 2017, property, plant and equipment is CHF 2.1 million compared to CHF 1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase of CHF 1.0 million over the comparable period in 2016 was due to investments into our IT and laboratory infrastructure.
6. Prepaid expenses
Prepaid expenses include prepaid research and development costs, administrative costs and pension expenses totaling CHF 2.3 million.
9
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Exhibit 99.2
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
This management’s discussion and analysis is designed to provide you with a narrative explanation of our financial condition and results of operations. We recommend that you read this in conjunction with our unaudited interim condensed financial information as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report on Form 6-K. We also recommend that you read our management’s discussion and analysis and our audited financial statements and the notes thereto, which appear in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016 on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references to “AC Immune” or the “company,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “us” or similar terms refer to AC Immune SA.
We prepare and report our financial statements and financial information in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (the “IASB”). None of our financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. We maintain our books and records in Swiss Francs. We have made rounding adjustments to some of the figures included in this management’s discussion and analysis. Accordingly, numerical figures shown as totals in some tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to currency amounts in this discussion and analysis are in Swiss Francs.
This discussion and analysis is dated as of May 10, 2017.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
Revenues
AC Immune generated revenues of CHF 2.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017, an increase of CHF 1.5 million over the comparable period in 2016. The following table summarizes our revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, |
||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | Change | ||||||||||
(in CHF thousands, unaudited) | ||||||||||||
Collaboration and license revenue | 1,955 | 381 | 1,574 | |||||||||
Grant revenue | 51 | 106 | (55 | ) | ||||||||
Total revenues | 2,006 | 487 | 1,519 |
The increase in revenues was principally due to the EUR 1 million (CHF 1.1 million) milestone payment invoiced to Piramal Imaging for the initiation of “Part B” of the first-in-man phase 1 clinical trial for PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) and CHF 0.9 million in research contribution revenues related to the Alpha-synuclein and TDP-43 PET Imaging Tracers Biogen collaboration. In the three months ended March 31, 2017, revenues also included CHF 51 thousand for a research grant from the LuMind Research Down Syndrome Foundation to support our ACI-24 phase 1 clinical study in patients with Down Syndrome.
Research and Development Expenses
In the three months ended March 31, 2017, research and development expenses totaled CHF 7.5 million compared with CHF 5.4 million in the same period in 2016, an increase of CHF 2.1 million. The following table presents the research and development expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
1
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, |
||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | Change | ||||||||||
(in CHF thousands, unaudited) | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses | 5,170 | 3,789 | 1,382 | |||||||||
Salaries and related costs(1) | 2,185 | 1,520 | 665 | |||||||||
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets | 99 | 63 | 35 | |||||||||
Total research and development expenses | 7,454 | 5,372 | 2,082 |
(1) | Includes share-based compensation |
The increase in research and development programs is primarily driven by the new discovery programs and the two ACI 24 programs. The following table presents the research and development expenses by major development program during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, |
||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | Change | ||||||||||
(in CHF thousands, unaudited) | ||||||||||||
Programs subject to collaboration agreements(2) | 400 | 234 | 166 | |||||||||
ACI-35 | 1,112 | 1,679 | (567 | ) | ||||||||
ACI-24 (for AD and Down syndrome) | 1,420 | 841 | 579 | |||||||||
PD (therapeutics and diagnostics) | 527 | 207 | 320 | |||||||||
New discovery programs | 1,540 | 459 | 1,081 | |||||||||
Total programs | 4,999 | 3,420 | 1,579 | |||||||||
R&D expenses not allocated to specific programs | 2,455 | 1,952 | 503 | |||||||||
Total | 7,454 | 5,372 | 2,082 |
(2) | Includes research and development expenditures for crenezumab, anti-tau antibodies and tau PET imaging tracer. |
General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses amounted to CHF 2.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with CHF 0.9 million in the same period in 2016, an increase of CHF 1.5 million. The increase is related to operating and salary related expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The following table presents the general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, |
||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | Change | ||||||||||
(in CHF thousands, unaudited) | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses | 1,123 | 406 | 717 | |||||||||
Salaries and related costs(1) | 1,263 | 493 | 770 | |||||||||
Total general and administrative expenses | 2,386 | 899 | 1,487 |
(1) Includes share-based compensation
2
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Related-Party Transactions
Related party comprises of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management.
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, |
||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | Change | ||||||||||
(in CHF thousands, unaudited) | ||||||||||||
Short-term employee benefits (1) | 471 | 432 | 39 | |||||||||
Post-employment benefits | 37 | 39 | (2 | ) | ||||||||
Share-based compensation | 1 | 29 | (28 | ) | ||||||||
Total | 509 | 500 | 9 |
(1) | The three months ended March 31, 2016 short-term employee benefits were revised to conform with current period presentation. |
Short-term employee benefits comprise of salaries, bonus, social security and expense allowances.
No options were granted as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, to the Directors and Executive Management of the Company.
For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company granted 4,750 Restricted Shares as part of a Restricted Share Award to one of our Directors in accordance with our 2016 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.
In April 2017, Joerg Hornstein assumed the role of the Chief Financial Officer as a member of Executive Management.
Financial results, net
In the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company reported a CHF 1.6 million net financial loss compared with net financial loss of CHF 0.4 million in the same period in 2016, a difference of CHF 1.2 million. The key driver for the higher financial costs during the three months ended March 31, 2017 were net unrealized losses of CHF 1.6 million on foreign currency cash balances incurred in the three months ended March 31, 2017 due to a weakening of the USD relative to the CHF at the end of the first quarter compared with foreign exchange loss of CHF 0.4 million in the same period in 2016.
The following table presents the net financial income and expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, |
||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | Change | ||||||||||
(in CHF thousands, unaudited) | ||||||||||||
Finance income | 13 | 1 | 12 | |||||||||
Finance costs | (1,634 | ) | (392 | ) | (1,242 | ) | ||||||
Total financial expense | (1,621 | ) | (391 | ) | (1,230 | ) |
3
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Loss per share
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, |
||||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||
(in CHF thousands except for share and per share data, unaudited) | ||||||||
Net loss attributable to equity holders of the Company | (9,455 | ) | (6,175 | ) | ||||
Loss per share (EPS): | ||||||||
Basic and diluted, loss for the period attributable to equity holders | (0.17 | ) | (0.13 | ) | ||||
Weighted-average number of shares used to compute EPS basic and diluted | 56,855,987 | 46,402,500 |
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of shares issued and outstanding. Weighted-average dilutive shares outstanding excludes antidilutive share options and non-vested restricted share awards that totaled 1,611,547 and 3,557,473, respectively from the computation of diluted income (loss) per common share for the three-months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our operations have been financed primarily by proceeds from the collaboration and license agreements we have with a number of partners, including Genentech, Janssen and Piramal Imaging, research grants awarded to us and net proceeds from the issuance of common shares and preferred shares including the net proceeds raised in the initial public offering (“IPO”) in September 2016. As of March 31, 2017, we had cash and cash equivalents of CHF 138.1 million.
Our primary uses of capital are, and we expect will continue to be, research and development expenses, compensation and related expenses, and other operating expenses including rent. Cash used to fund operating expenses is impacted by the timing of when we pay expenses, as reflected in the change in our outstanding accounts payable and accrued expenses. We expect to incur substantial expenses in connection with a number of our product candidates in various stages of clinical development including co-funding ACI-35 to the end of the ongoing Phase 1b clinical study, material increases in spending on ACI-24 in AD to fund a Phase 2 study, ACI-24 in Down syndrome, our PET imaging candidates focused on alpha-synuclein and TDP-43 which we are developing together with Biogen and a number of research initiatives focused on neurodegenerative orphan diseases other than AD.
We plan to continue to fund our operating and capital funding needs through proceeds received from collaboration and licensing agreements and through equity or other forms of financing. We may also consider entering into additional collaboration agreements and selectively partnering for clinical development and commercialization. The sale of additional equity would result in additional dilution to our shareholders.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods indicated:
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, |
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2017 | 2016 | Change | ||||||||||
(in CHF thousands) | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||||
Operating activities | (11,884 | ) | (7,685 | ) | (4,199 | ) | ||||||
Investing activities | (641 | ) | (210 | ) | (431 | ) | ||||||
Financing activities | 29 | (378 | ) | 407 | ||||||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | (12,496 | ) | (8,273 | ) | (4,223 | ) |
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Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities was CHF 11.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with net cash used in operating activities of CHF 7.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The change in cash used in operating activities in the first three months of 2017 was due to (i) the Company’s reporting net loss of CHF 9.5 million for three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with a CHF 6.2 million loss for the same period in 2016 driven primarily by the research and development cost in the first quarter of 2017, (ii) an increase in prepaid expenses primarily related to administrative expenses of CHF 1 million, and (iii) the decrease in accounts payable due to increased research expense payments in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016.
Investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities rose to CHF 0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with net cash used in investing activities of CHF 0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016 due to increased capital expenditures to strengthen our manufacturing and research infrastructure.
Financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was CHF 29 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with net cash used in financing activities of CHF 0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase is driven by employee stock option exercises compared with net cash used in financing activities of CHF 0.4 million primarily related to stock transaction costs.
Operating Capital Requirements and Plan of Operations
We do not expect to generate revenues from royalties based on product sales unless and until our partners obtain regulatory approval of and commercialize our current or any future product candidates. At March 31, 2017 we had cash balances totaling CHF 138.1 million. The decrease relative to December 31, 2016 is due to an increase in research and development spent on our major discovery and development programs and the strengthening of the company’s infrastructures, systems and organization. There can be no certainty as to the exact timing, or in fact whether any future milestone payments will ever be made given that these milestone payments are contingent on clear milestones being reached. Accordingly, assuming we do not receive potential milestone payments and based upon our currently contemplated research and development strategy, we believe that our existing capital resources will be sufficient to meet our projected operating requirements up to the first quarter of 2019.
We expect to generate losses for the foreseeable future, and these losses could increase as we continue product development and if we successfully achieve regulatory approvals for our product candidates and begin to commercialize any approved products. We are subject to all the risks pertinent to the development of new products, and we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may harm our business. We expect to incur additional costs associated with operating a public company and we anticipate that we will need substantial additional funding in connection with our continuing operations. If we need to raise additional capital to fund our operations and complete our ongoing and planned clinical studies, funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.
Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including but not limited to the following:
· | The scope, rate of progress, results and cost of our pre-clinical and clinical studies and other related activities; |
· | The cost of manufacturing clinical supplies and establishing commercial supplies of our product candidates and any other products we may develop; |
· | The cost, timing and outcomes of regulatory approvals; |
· | The costs and timing of establishing sales, marketing and distribution capabilities; |
· | The terms and timing of any collaborative, licensing and other arrangements that we may establish, including any required milestone and royalty payments thereunder; |
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Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
· | The emergence of competing technologies or other adverse market developments; and |
· | The potential cost and timing of managing and protecting our portfolio of intellectual property. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, there were no significant changes to our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk described under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in the Annual Report on Form 20-F.
Critical Judgments and Accounting Estimates
There have been no material changes to the significant accounting policies and estimates described under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Judgments and Accounting Estimates” in the Annual Report on Form 20-F.
JOBS Act Exemption
On April 5, 2012, the JOBS Act was signed into law. The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, reduce certain reporting requirements for an “emerging growth company.” As an emerging growth company, we are not required to provide an auditor attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting. This exemption will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our initial public offering (through 2021) or until we no longer meet the requirements of being an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier. We would cease to be an emerging growth company if we have more than $1.07 billion in annual revenue, have more than $700 million in market value of our common shares held by non-affiliates or issue more than $1.07 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This discussion and analysis contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this discussion and analysis, 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 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 prospectus 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. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this discussion and analysis and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to of various factors, including, but not limited to, those identified under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Final Prospectus. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this discussion and analysis and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions described under the sections in the Final Prospectus entitled “Risk Factors” and this discussion and analysis. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond our control, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in our forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.
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EXHIBIT 99.3
Press Release
AC IMMUNE REPORTS FIRST QuArter 2017 financial results
§ | Strong cash position of CHF 138.1 million provides resources to advance pipeline of seven therapeutic and three diagnostic candidates |
§ | Second pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of crenezumab - CREAD 2 - started by partner Genentech |
§ | Encouraging first clinical data of Tau-PET Imaging tracer in Alzheimer’s |
§ | Milestone from Piramal Imaging for start of Phase 1 trial in PSP 1 , an orphan tauopathy disease |
Lausanne, Switzerland, May 11, 2017 – AC Immune SA (NASDAQ: ACIU), a Swiss-based, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with a broad pipeline focused on neurodegenerative diseases, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017.
Prof. Andrea Pfeifer, CEO of AC Immune, commented: “We have started 2017 with the very significant decision of our partner Genentech to undertake a second phase 3 clinical trial of crenezumab in patients with prodromal to mild Alzheimer’s disease. Our collaboration with Piramal for developing companion diagnostics is bearing fruit. These Q1 results reflect our strategic investments beyond Alzheimer’s disease, into other neurodegenerative indications, leveraging our core knowledge of misfolding proteins and our two discovery platforms.”
Key Financial Data – (IFRS in CHF million, except for share and per share data) 2
For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||
Total revenues | 2.0 | 0.5 | ||||||
R&D expenses | 7.5 | 5.4 | ||||||
G&A expenses | 2.4 | 0.9 | ||||||
Loss for the period | (9.5 | ) | (6.2 | ) | ||||
Basic and diluted, loss per share (EPS) | (0.17 | ) | (0.13 | ) | ||||
Weighted-average no of shares basic and diluted | 56,855,987 | 46,402,500 | ||||||
As of | ||||||||
March 31, 2017 |
Dec 31,
2016 |
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Cash and cash equivalents | 138.1 | 152.2 | ||||||
Total current assets | 142.4 | 154.9 | ||||||
Total shareholder’s equity | 133.1 | 142.4 |
2 This summary table should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed financial statements as of and for the period ended March 31, 2017, including the accompanying notes which form an integral part of the interim financial statements. These financial statements are available on our website under the tab labelled “Investors - Financial Information”.
1 PSP = Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
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Revenues
Our revenues experience significant fluctuations as a result of securing new collaboration agreements, the timing of milestone achievements and the size of each milestone payment.
AC Immune generated revenues of CHF 2.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with CHF 0.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase in revenues was mainly driven by the EUR 1 million (CHF 1.1 million) milestone from Piramal Imaging for the initiation of the phase 1 clinical trial in an orphan indication, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).
Research & Development (R&D) Expenses
For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company incurred R&D expenses of CHF 7.5 million compared with CHF 5.4 million in the same period in 2016.
This is primarily attributable to increased investment in the two anti-Abeta ACI-24 vaccine programs in Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome, in programs focused on Parkinson’s disease such as alpha-synuclein PET imaging, and in discovery programs for neurodegenerative orphan indications. The R&D investment also reflects the addition of new talents to accelerate the development of proprietary and partnered pipeline candidates.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses
G&A expenses amounted to CHF 2.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with CHF 0.9 million in the same period in 2016. The increase in G&A expenses is largely related to advisory, regulatory and legal costs associated with the Company being publicly listed since September 2016, intellectual property costs as well as remuneration expenses.
Loss for the period
For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company had a net loss after taxes of CHF 9.5 million compared with a CHF 6.2 million loss for the same period in 2016. The decline in profitability is attributable to the increased R&D and G&A expenses as outlined above.
Balance Sheet
As of March
31, 2017 AC Immune had total cash of CHF 138.1 million compared to
CHF 152.2 million as of December 31, 2017. The decrease is due to the higher investments in our major discovery and development
programs and the strengthening of the Company’s infrastructures, systems and organization.
For a more detailed review of our financial performance, please refer to the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” attached as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 6-K filed today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and on our website under the tab labelled “Investors - Financial Information”.
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First Quarter 2017 R&D Highlights
Crenezumab – anti-Abeta antibody for Alzheimer’s disease (AD ) partnered with Genentech in Phase 3
AC Immune’s partner Genentech/Roche has started a second pivotal phase 3 clinical trial, CREAD 2, in 750 prodromal or mild Alzheimer’s disease. Similar to the CREAD 1 phase 3 clinical trial, which is ongoing since Q1 2016, this study will evaluate the effect of crenezumab on the composite endpoint Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) Score.
Tau-PET imaging agent – AD diagnostic partnered with Piramal
New insights into the Tau-PET imaging tracer, being developed in collaboration with Piramal Imaging, were provided at the International Conference on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases (AD/PD). The results included its excellent preclinical properties, human dosimetry and first encouraging clinical data which show a distinct, specific pattern of binding in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
Forward looking statements
This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical fact and may include statements that address future operating, financial or business performance or AC Immune’s strategies or expectations. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “potential,” “outlook” or “continue,” and other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. These risks and uncertainties include those described under the captions “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in AC Immune’s Annual Report on Form 20-F and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and AC Immune does not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable law. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
For further information please contact:
Prof. Andrea Pfeifer Chief Executive Officer Phone: +41-21-345 91 21 E-mail: andrea.pfeifer@acimmune.com
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Eva Schier Corporate Communications Manager Phone: +41-21-345 91 34 Mobile: +41 79 926 66 03 E-mail: eva.schier@acimmune.com
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Nick Miles/ Toomas Kull Cabinet Privé de Conseils Phone: +41 22 321 45 40 |
In the US Ted Agne The Communications Strategy Group Inc. |
E-mail: |
miles@cpc-pr.com kull@cpc-pr.com |
Phone: +1
781 631 3117
E-mail: edagne@comstratgroup.com |
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Exhibit 99.4
Articles of Association
of
AC Immune SA
with registered office in
Ecublens (VD)
The French version of these articles of association shall prevail.
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STATUTS
de
AC Immune SA
avec siège à
Ecublens (VD)
La version française de ces statuts fait foi.
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I.
CORPORATE NAME, PRINCIPAL OFFICE, DURATION AND PURPOSE OF THE COMPANY
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I. RAISON SOCIALE, SIÈGE, DURÉE ET BUT DE LA SOCIÉTÉ
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Art. 1 Corporate Name and Duration
Under the name
AC Immune SA
there exists a Company pursuant to the provisions of Articles 620 et seq. of the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO) with registered office in Ecublens (VD). The duration of the Company is unlimited.
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Art. 1 Raison sociale et durée
Sous la raison sociale
AC Immune SA
il existe une société conformément aux articles 620 ss. du Code des Obligations suisse (CO) ayant son siège à Ecublens (VD). La durée de la société est illimitée.
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Art. 2 Purpose
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Art. 2 But
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The Company may engage in any activities which are apt to favor the purpose of the Company directly or indirectly. The Company may also acquire and sell real estate. |
La société peut se livrer à des activités qui sont de nature à favoriser directement ou indirectement le but de la société. La société peut également acquérir et vendre des biens immobiliers.
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The Company may open branch offices in Switzerland and abroad and may also acquire participations in other companies. |
La société peut ouvrir des succursales en Suisse et à l'étranger et peut également acquérir des participations dans d'autres sociétés.
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The Company may provide securities to its subsidiaries and supply guarantees.
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La société peut fournir des titres à ses filiales et des garanties d'approvisionnement. |
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not benefiting from the exemption regarding a tender offer shall be entered in the share register as shares without voting rights.
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commune ou de toute autre manière, ou qui se joignent pour une acquisition d'actions, sont considérées comme une personne. Les actions nominatives dépassant la limite de 33 1 / 3 % et ne bénéficiant pas de l'exemption relative à une offre publique d'achat sont inscrites dans le registre des actions comme des actions sans droit de vote. | |
For the purposes of this Article 4, "Controlled Shares" in reference to any individual or entity means:
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Aux fins du présent article 4, Actions Contrôlées signifie en référence à toute personne physique ou morale: |
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(a) all shares of the Company directly, indirectly or constructively owned by such individual or entity; provided that | (a) toutes actions directement, indirectement ou implicitement détenues par cette personne physique ou morale, à condition que | |
(i) shares owned, directly or indirectly, by or for a partnership, or trust or estate will be considered as being owned proportionately by its partners, or beneficiaries; and | (i) les actions détenues, directement ou indirectement, par ou pour un partenariat, une fiducie ou une communauté d'héritiers sont considérées comme étant détenues proportionnellement par leurs partenaires ou bénéficiaires; et | |
(ii) shares owned, directly or indirectly, by or for a corporation will be considered as being owned proportionately by any shareholder owning 50% or more of the outstanding voting shares of such corporation; and | (ii) les actions détenues, directement ou indirectement, par ou pour une société seront considérées comme étant détenues proportionnellement par tout actionnaire détenant 50% ou plus des actions avec droit de vote en circulation de cette société; et | |
(iii) shares subject to options, warrants or other similar rights shall be deemed to be owned; and | (iii) les actions sujettes à des options, des bons de souscription ou autres droits semblables sont réputées être détenues; et | |
(b) all shares of the Company directly, indirectly beneficially owned by such individual or entity; provided that | (b) toutes actions de la société détenues directement, indirectement ou à son profit par cette personne physique ou morale, à condition que | |
(i) a beneficial owner of a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise alone or together with other such persons has or shares: | (i) un bénéficiaire effectif d'un titre comprend toute personne qui, directement ou indirectement, par le biais d'un contrat, d'un accord, d'une entente, d'une relation, ou autrement, seul ou avec d'autres personnes a ou partage: | |
(1) voting power which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security; and/or | (1) le pouvoir de voter, y compris le pouvoir de voter ou de diriger le vote d'un tel titre; et/ou | |
(2) investment power which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, such security. | (2) le pouvoir d'investir, y compris le pouvoir de disposer ou de diriger la disposition d'un tel titre. | |
(ii) Any person who, directly or indirectly, creates or uses a trust, proxy, power of attorney, pooling arrangement or any other contract, arrangement, or device with the purpose or effect of divesting such person of beneficial ownership of shares of the Company or preventing the vesting of such beneficial ownership as part of a plan or | (ii) Toute personne qui, directement ou indirectement, crée ou utilise une fiducie, une procuration, un pooling ou tout autre contrat, accord, ou un dispositif ayant pour objet ou pour effet de priver cette personne de la propriété effective des actions de la société ou d'en empêcher l'acquisition effective au moyen d'un plan ou programme visant à se |
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scheme to evade the provisions of these articles of association shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such shares. | soustraire aux dispositions de ces statuts est réputée être le propriétaire effectif de ces actions. | |
(iii) A person shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of shares if that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of such shares within 60 days, including but not limited to any right acquired: (A) through the exercise of any option, warrant or right; (B) through the conversion of a security; (C) pursuant to the power to revoke a trust, discretionary account, or similar arrangement; or (D) pursuant to the automatic termination of a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement. | (iii) Une personne est réputée être propriétaire effective d'actions si cette personne a le droit d'acquérir la propriété effective de ces actions dans les 60 jours, y compris, mais pas limité à un droit acquis: (A) au moyen de l'exercice d'une option, d'un bon ou d'un droit de souscription; (B) par la conversion d'un titre; (C) en vertu du pouvoir de révoquer une fiducie, compte discrétionnaire ou accord semblable; ou (D) conformément à la résiliation automatique d'une fiducie, compte discrétionnaire ou accord semblable. | |
The limit of 33 1 / 3 % of the registered share capital also applies to the subscription for, or acquisition of, registered shares by exercising option or convertible rights arising from registered or bearer securities or any other securities issued by the Company or third parties, as well as by means of exercising purchased preemptive rights arising from either registered or bearer shares. The registered shares exceeding the limit of 33 1 / 3 % shall be entered in the share register as shares without voting rights.
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La limite de 33 1 / 3 % du capital-actions nominatif s'applique également à la souscription ou l'acquisition d'actions nominatives par l'exercice d'options ou de droits convertibles découlant de titres nominatifs ou au porteur ou d'autres titres émis par la société ou par des tiers, ainsi que par le biais de l'exercice de droits de souscription préférentiels achetés découlant d'actions nominatives ou au porteur. Les actions nominatives dépassant la limite de 33 1 / 3 % sont inscrites dans le registre des actions comme des actions sans droit de vote. |
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The Board of Directors may in special cases approve exceptions to the above regulations. The Board of Directors is in addition authorized, after due consultation with the person concerned, to delete with retroactive effect entries in the share register which were effected on the basis of false information. | Le conseil d'administration peut dans des cas particuliers approuver des exceptions aux règles précitées. Il est en outre autorisé, après consultation avec la personne concernée, de supprimer avec effet rétroactif des inscriptions du registre des actions qui ont été effectuées sur la base de fausses informations. | |
Art. 5 Share Certificates and Intermediated Securities
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Art. 5 Certificats d'actions et titres intermédiés
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The shareholder has no right to demand a conversion of the registered shares. Each shareholder may, however, at any time request a written confirmation from the Company of the registered shares held by such shareholder, as reflected in the share register. | L'actionnaire n'a pas le droit d'exiger une conversion d'actions nominatives. Chaque actionnaire peut toutefois, à tout moment, demander une confirmation écrite de la société du nombres d'actions nominatives détenues par cet actionnaire telles qu'inscrites au registre du commerce. | |
The transfer of intermediated securities and the pledging of these intermediated securities shall be based on the provisions of the Swiss Federal Intermediated Securities Act. Transfer of propriety as collateral by means of | Le transfert des titres intermédiés et la mise en gage de ces titres intermédiés suivent les dispositions de la Loi fédérale sur les titres intermédiés. Le transfert de propriété à titre de sûreté par cession écrite n'est pas |
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number, kind, nominal value of shares represented by the shareholders, by the corporate bodies and by the independent proxy and gives information on resolutions passed, elections, requests for information and information as well as declarations given by the shareholders. The minutes shall be signed by the Chairman and the Secretary. | nombre, le type, la valeur nominale des actions représentées par les actionnaires, par les organes sociaux et par le représentant indépendant et donne des informations sur les décisions adoptées, les élections, les demandes de renseignements et les informations ainsi que les déclarations faites par les actionnaires. Le procès-verbal est signé par le président et le secrétaire. | |
The shareholders are entitled to inspect the minutes. | Les actionnaires ont le droit d'examiner le procès-verbal. | |
Art. 16 Right to Vote
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Art. 16 Droit de vote
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Each shareholder may be represented at a General Meeting by any person who is so authorized by a written proxy. A proxy need not be a shareholder. | Chaque actionnaire peut se faire représenter à l'assemblée générale par toute personne qui est autorisée par une procuration écrite. Le représentant ne doit pas nécessairement être un actionnaire. | |
Each shareholder may be represented by the Independent Proxy. The requirements regarding proxies and instructions are determined by the Board of Directors. | Chaque actionnaire peut se faire représenter par le représentant indépendant. Les exigences en matière de procurations et les instructions sont déterminées par le conseil d'administration. | |
Art. 17 Resolutions and Elections
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Art. 17 Décisions and élections
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The General Meeting shall pass its resolutions and carry out its elections with the simple majority of the votes cast regardless of abstentions and empty or invalid votes, unless statutory law or articles of association state otherwise. In the event of tie votes, the request shall be refused. The Chairman shall not have a casting vote. | Sous réserve des dispositions impératives de la loi ou des statuts, l'assemblée générale prend ses décisions et procède aux élections à la majorité simple des voix émises. En cas de partage égal des voix, la requête sera refusée. Le président n'a pas voix prépondérante. | |
A resolution of the General Meeting passed by at least two thirds of the represented share votes and the absolute majority of the represented shares par value is required for: | Une décision de l'assemblée générale recueillant au moins les deux tiers des voix attribuées aux actions représentées et la majorité absolue des valeurs nominales représentées est nécessaire pour: | |
a) The cases listed in art. 704 para. 1 CO, i.e.: | a) les cas énumérés dans l'art. 704 al. 1 CO, i.e.: | |
(i) the change of the company purpose; | (i) la modification du but social; | |
(ii) the creation of shares with privileged voting rights; | (ii) l'introduction d'actions à droit de vote privilégié; | |
(iii) the restriction of the transferability of registered shares; | (iii) la restriction de la transmissibilité des actions nominatives; | |
(iv) an increase of capital, authorized or subject to a condition; | (iv) l'augmentation autorisée ou conditionnelle du capital-actions; | |
(v) an increase of capital out of equity, against contribution in kind, or for the purpose of acquisition of assets and the granting of | (v) l'augmentation du capital-actions au moyen des fonds propres, contre apport en nature ou en vue d'une reprise de biens et l'octroi |
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Art. 19 Independent Proxy
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Art. 19 Représentant indépendant
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way of circulation, provided that no member requests oral deliberation. | prises par voie de circulation, à condition qu'aucun membre ne demande une délibération orale. | |
Minutes are kept of the board's discussions and resolutions and signed by the chairman and the minute-taker. | Les délibérations et les décisions du conseil d'administration sont consignées dans un procès-verbal signé par le président et le rédacteur du procès-verbal. | |
Art. 27 Right to information and inspection
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Art. 27 Droit aux renseignements et à la consultation
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Outside meetings, any member may request information from the persons entrusted with managing the company's business concerning the company's business performance and, with the chairman's authorisation, specific transactions. | En dehors des séances, chaque membre du conseil d'administration peut exiger des personnes chargées de la gestion des renseignements sur la marche de l'entreprise et, avec l'autorisation du président, sur des affaires déterminées. | |
Where required for the performance of his duties, any member may request the chairman to have books of account and documents made available to him for inspection. | Dans la mesure où cela est nécessaire à l'accomplissement de ses tâches, chaque membre du conseil d'administration peut demander au président la production des livres ou des dossiers. | |
If the chairman refuses a request for information, a request to be heard or an application to inspect documents, the board of directors rules on the matter. | Si le président rejette une demande de renseignement, d'audition ou de consultation, le conseil d'administration tranche. | |
Art. 28 Compensation Committee
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Art. 28 Comité de rémunération
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a) to draw up principles for compensation of members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee and to submit them to the Board of Directors for approval; | a) élaborer des principes de rémunération des membres du conseil d'administration et du comité exécutif et de les soumettre au conseil d'administration pour approbation; | |
b) to propose to the Board of Directors the resolution to be submitted to the Ordinary General Meeting for the maximum total compensation of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee; | b) proposer au conseil d'administration la décision sera soumise à l'assemblée générale ordinaire pour la rémunération totale maximale du conseil d'administration et du comité exécutif; | |
c) subject to and within the bounds of the maximum compensation approved by the Ordinary General Meeting, to request approval by the Board of Directors of the individual remuneration packages to be paid to members of the Board of Directors and members of the Executive Committee; | c) sous réserve et dans les limites de la rémunération maximale approuvée par l'assemblée générale ordinaire, demander l'approbation du conseil d'administration quant aux paquets de rémunération individuels devant être versés aux membres du conseil d'administration et aux membres du comité exécutif; | |
d) to request approval by the Board of Directors regarding the determination of the compensation- | d) requérir l'approbation du conseil d'administration sur la fixation d'objectifs liés à la rémunération |
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deemed exclusive (a) of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under these Articles of Association, any agreement, any insurance purchased by the Company, vote of shareholders or disinterested members of the Board of Directors, or pursuant to the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, or (b) of the power of the Company to indemnify any person who is or was an employee or agent of the Company or of another corporation, joint venture, trust or other enterprise which he or she is serving or has served at the request of the Company, to the same extent and in the same situations and subject to the same determinations as are hereinabove set forth with respect to a Covered Person.
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considérée comme exclusive (a) d'autres droits auxquels les personnes demandant une indemnisation ou une avance des dépenses ont droit en vertu de ces statuts, d'un accord, d'une assurance souscrite par la société, d'un vote d'actionnaires ou de membres du conseil d'administration n'ayant pas d'intérêt direct, ou en vertu d'une décision d'un tribunal compétent, ou autrement, soit à l'égard d'actions faites en sa capacité officielle, soit à l'égard d'actions faites à un autre titre tout en ayant une telle fonction, ou (b) du pouvoir de la société d'indemniser toute personne qui est ou était un employé ou un mandataire de la société ou d'une autre société, d'une joint venture, d'une fiducie ou d'une autre entreprise pour laquelle il ou elle travaille ou a travaillé à la demande de la société, dans la même mesure et dans les mêmes situations et sous réserve des mêmes principes concernant une Personne Couverte évoquées ci-dessus.
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As used in this Article 29, references to the "Company" include all constituent corporations in a consolidation or merger in which the Company or a predecessor to the Company by consolidation or merger was involved. |
Tel qu'utilisé dans le présent article 29, les références à la "société" comprennent toutes les sociétés ayant fait l'objet d'un regroupement ou d'une fusion dans laquelle la société ou un prédécesseur à la société a été impliqué.
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The indemnification provided by this Article 29 shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a member of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee and shall inure to the benefit of their heirs, executors, and administrators. |
L'indemnisation prévue par cet article 29 est maintenue à l'égard d'une personne qui a cessé d'être un membre du conseil d'administration ou le comité exécutif et sera en vigueur au bénéfice de ses héritiers, exécuteurs et administrateurs.
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VI. AUDITORS |
VI. ORGANE
DE RÉVISION
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Art. 30 Election, Term
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Art. 30 Élection, durée
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The General Meeting may appoint Special Auditors for a term of up to three years who provide the attestations required for capital increases. | L'assemblée générale peut nommer des réviseurs spéciaux pour une durée de trois ans au maximum qui fournissent les attestations requises pour les augmentations de capital. | |
Art. 31 Duties
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Art. 31 Fonctions
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VII. COMPENSATION
AND RELATED PROVISIONS
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VII. RÉMUNÉRATION
ET DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES
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Art. 32 Principles of the Compensation of the Board of Directors
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Art. 32 Principes de rémunération du conseil d'administration
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and the participant shall be entitled to exercise the options on a pro rata basis on the day the transaction that led to the change of control or delisting was executed. It is at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors to decide upon proposal of the Compensation Committee whether the financial objectives have been met; |
fin (acquisition accélérée) et le participant est en droit d'exercer les options sur une base pro rata le jour de la transaction qui a conduit à un changement de contrôle ou le jour où la radiation a été exécutée. Il relève de la libre appréciation du conseil d'administration de décider, sur proposition du comité de rémunération, si les objectifs financiers ont été atteints; |
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e ) the individual members of the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors participating in the Option Plan are responsible for paying any taxes or social security contributions and for declaring income correctly to the authorities; | e) les membres individuels du comité exécutif ou du conseil d'administration qui participent au régime d'options sont responsables du paiement de tous les impôts ou cotisations de sécurité sociale et de déclarer correctement le revenu aux autorités; | |
f) it is at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors to decide whether to supplement the Option Plan within the bounds of the principles set out above or to discontinue it. | f) il relève de la libre appréciation du conseil d'administration de décider si le régime d'options est complété dans les limites des principes énoncés ci-dessus ou de l'interrompre. | |
The Company may periodically offer shares in the Company to important and long-term employees for a price being at maximum ten percent below the average volume-weighted price of the last 30 trading days at the stock exchange. Members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee may be included in this program. The shares acquired thereby shall be blocked for a period of at least 3 years. | La société peut périodiquement offrir des actions de la société aux salariés importants et à long terme pour un prix étant au maximum dix pour cent au-dessous du prix moyen pondéré par les volumes des 30 derniers jours à la bourse. Les membres du conseil d'administration et du comité exécutif peuvent être inclus dans ce programme. Les actions ainsi acquises seront bloquées pour une période d'au moins 3 ans. | |
VIII. BUSINESS
YEAR, ACCOUNTING, ALLOCATION OF PROFITS
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VIII. EXERCICE,
COMPTABILITÉ, RÉPARTITION DES BÉNÉFICES
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Art. 42 Business Year
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Art. 42 Exercice
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Art. 43 Accounting
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Art. 43 Comptabilité
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If required by law, the consolidated financial statements shall be drawn in accordance with the provisions of Article 962 CO. | Si requis par la loi, les états financiers consolidés sont établis en conformité avec les dispositions de l'article 962 CO. |
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Art. 44 Allocation
of Profits
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Art. 44 Répartition
des bénéfices
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Bâle, le 30 mars 2017
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