Bayer's new blood thinner reduces stroke recurrence risk by 26%

• The Oceanic-Stroke trial compared asundexian plus antiplatelet therapy against antiplatelet therapy alone in patients who previously suffered strokes or similar brain blood vessel blockages
• The drug previously failed a late-stage trial in a broader patient group at risk of stroke but who had not yet experienced one, making this result a significant comeback
• Rivals Novartis and Bristol Myers Squibb (partnered with Johnson & Johnson) have competing compounds in development but have not yet reported late-stage stroke prevention results

Bayer's Experimental Blood Thinner Shows Strong Stroke Prevention Results

Key Development: Bayer announced Thursday that its experimental blood thinner, asundexian, reduced stroke recurrence risk by 26% in a Phase III clinical trial, marking a significant milestone for CEO Bill Anderson's turnaround strategy.

Trial Details: The Oceanic-Stroke study enrolled over 12,000 patients who had previously suffered strokes or similar cerebrovascular events. The trial compared asundexian combined with standard antiplatelet therapy against antiplatelet therapy alone. Results showed encouraging safety data regarding bleeding risks, addressing a critical concern in antithrombotic treatments.

Market Context: This success represents a turnaround for asundexian, which failed a late-2023 trial involving patients at stroke risk who hadn't yet experienced one. The drug has been a cornerstone of Bayer's pharmaceutical development pipeline for years.

Corporate Impact: The positive results support Anderson's broader restructuring efforts at Bayer, whose stock has been weighed down by Roundup weedkiller litigation and substantial debt. Shares received a boost in January after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Bayer's appeal to limit cancer-related liability claims. The stock began rebounding in November following initial success announcements for asundexian.

Next Steps: Bayer plans to seek regulatory approval for the drug. The company faces competition from Novartis and Bristol Myers Squibb (partnering with Johnson & Johnson), though these rivals haven't yet reported late-stage stroke prevention results.

Expert Opinion: Study co-principal investigator Ashkan Shoamanesh described the results as "the holy grail of antithrombotic therapy," highlighting the achievement of preventing blood clots without compromising bleeding safety.