Bayer Stroke Drug Trial Shows Promise

Bayer has announced encouraging late-stage trial results for its experimental stroke prevention drug, asundexian. In the trial, patients receiving a 50mg daily dose of the inhibitor, in conjunction with standard anti-platelet therapy, experienced a significantly reduced risk of a second stroke compared to those on a placebo. This outcome is particularly significant for individuals who have already suffered a non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke or a high-risk transient ischemic attack.

The trial also indicated that treatment with asundexian did not lead to an increased risk of bleeding, a crucial factor for patients requiring anticoagulation therapy. Full trial results are slated for presentation at an upcoming scientific congress. The positive development provides a welcome respite for Bayer, which has been navigating declining sales of key drugs and ongoing litigation.

Asundexian has been granted Fast Track designation by the US Food and Drug Administration, potentially accelerating its path to patients. Bayer plans to seek regulatory approval worldwide. This progress offers a new avenue for protecting patients from recurrent strokes and marks a significant step for Bayer's pharmaceutical research and development efforts.