Bayer has reported positive late-stage trial results showing that its experimental blood thinner asundexian reduced the risk of stroke recurrence by 26%, marking a significant development in the company’s efforts to strengthen its pharmaceutical pipeline.
The findings come from the Phase III Oceanic-Stroke trial, which enrolled more than 12,000 patients. The study compared standard antiplatelet therapy combined with asundexian against antiplatelet therapy alone in patients at risk of recurrent stroke.
In addition to the reduction in stroke recurrence, the trial also generated encouraging data related to bleeding risk, a key safety concern for anticoagulant therapies.
The trial outcome provides momentum for Bayer Chief Executive Officer Bill Anderson, who has been working to revive the company’s performance amid financial pressures and ongoing litigation challenges.
The success of the asundexian programme is seen as an important step as Bayer moves toward seeking regulatory approval for the drug.
