On January 14, 2025 Bayer reported progress in its pharmaceutical growth strategy with multiple regulatory filing submissions underway for key growth drivers darolutamide, finerenone, and elinzanetant on the occasion of the 43rd J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco (Press release, Bayer, JAN 14, 2025, View Source [SID1234649727]).
"We are successfully delivering on our ambitious business goals despite significant headwinds. At the same time, the value of our pipeline is growing by accelerating breakthrough innovations," said Stefan Oelrich, Member of the Board of Management, Bayer AG, and President of Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division. "Our new operating model is visibly becoming a key enabler to drive growth and efficiency gains."
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Topline improved and poised for future growth
Bayer continues to strengthen its leadership position in prostate cancer with the anticipated launch of a third indication in 2025 for the oral androgen receptor inhibitor (Ari) darolutamide, marketed under the brand name NUBEQA, supported by data from the ARANOTE trial. Darolutamide plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) now has positive data both with and without chemotherapy (docetaxel) based on two pivotal Phase III studies (ARASENS and ARANOTE) in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Bayer recently submitted an application to the Center of Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for this third indication for darolutamide in addition to filings in the U.S. and the EU earlier in 2024. NUBEQA achieved global blockbuster status in September 2024 after crossing the threshold of one billion euros in annual sales. Additionally, NUBEQA is now the fastest growing androgen receptor inhibitor in the U.S., with nearly 45,000 patients in the U.S. and 100,000 patients globally treated as of the end of 2024. For important risk and use information about NUBEQA, please see the full Prescribing Information.
In Cardiovascular, Bayer submitted a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDE of China’s NMPA for finerenone, marketed as KERENDIA, for the treatment of patients with heart failure (HF) with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≥40%, initiating a major step forward in expanding its reach. Further regulatory filings are planned with a potential market launch by the end of 2025. Filing submissions are based on positive results from the Phase III FINEARTS-HF trial that showed finerenone achieved a statistically significant reduction of the composite of cardiovascular death and total (first and recurrent) HF events, defined as either an unplanned hospitalization for HF or an urgent HF visit, by 16% in patients with HF and a LVEF of ≥40% compared to placebo in addition to a patients’ prescribed treatment regimen. The robust data from Kerendia’s clinical development program underscore its potential to become a pillar of therapy for patients with chronic kidney disease associated with Type 2 Diabetes and patients with heart failure with an LVEF of ≥40%. For important risk and use information about KERENDIA, please see the full Prescribing Information.
In Women´s Healthcare, another significant clinical milestone for investigational compound elinzanetant was secured in early 2025 following three positive Phase III readouts in 2024 (OASIS 1,2,3). OASIS 4, which was conducted outside of the U.S., is a Phase III study evaluating elinzanetant as a non-hormonal treatment for moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms caused by adjuvant endocrine therapy in women with breast cancer or at high risk of developing breast cancer. Elinzanetant successfully met the primary endpoints of the study demonstrating statistically significant reductions in the frequency of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS, also known as hot flashes) from baseline to week 4 and 12 compared to placebo. The study also achieved all secondary endpoints demonstrating reductions in severity of VMS at week 4 and 12, VMS frequency reduction at week 1 as well as maintaining the effects over the study period. The detailed results from OASIS 4 are planned to be presented at an upcoming scientific congress. Elinzanetant is the first dual neurokinin-1 and 3 (NK-1 and 3) receptor antagonist in late-stage clinical development for the non-hormonal treatment of moderate to severe VMS associated with menopause.
In Radiology, Bayer is advancing its pipeline. A significant milestone was achieved with its Phase III QUANTI clinical development program, which evaluated the investigational compound gadoquatrane. The first data from the program showed that gadoquatrane successfully achieved its primary endpoint, highlighting its potential to offer a low dose contrast agent option to patients. The QUANTI program showcases Bayer’s leadership in radiology and its commitment to advancing innovation in medical imaging.
Pipeline value improved and early lead positions strengthened
Bayer is making significant progress with its cell and gene therapy platform, achieving important clinical trial milestones, especially in the field of Parkinson´s disease.
Bemdaneprocel will directly advance to Phase III clinical development in Parkinson’s disease, based on positive data from the Phase I exPDite trial. Bemdaneprocel is an investigational stem cell-based therapy that surgically implants dopamine-generating nerve cell precursors into the brain. The FDA granted bemdaneprocel Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation for its innovative potential in treating Parkinson’s disease.
AB-1005 is advancing in Phase II with the randomization of participants in the REGENERATE-PD clinical trial focusing on patients with moderate-stage Parkinson’s disease. AB-1005 is an investigational AAV-based gene therapy that delivers the human glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) transgene to the brain to potentially protect and restore dopamine-generating neurons. AB-1005 has received U.S. FDA Fast Track and UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Innovation Passport designations, highlighting its potential to address significant unmet medical needs.
As part of its transformation, Bayer has sharpened its focus in R&D to build a highly differentiated pipeline for long-term growth in oncology, cardiology and renal diseases, neurology and rare diseases, and immunology. Through rigorous assessment and prioritization, Bayer Pharmaceuticals is now fully focused on the areas of greatest unmet need and highest value potential.
Targeted investments in R&D and platform companies in recent years are already strengthening Bayer’s early and late pipelines. With Vividion´s acquisition of the precision oncology platform company Tavros Therapeutics, Bayer continues to leverage its chemoproteomics platform technology to unlock traditionally undruggable targets with precision small-molecule therapeutics. It has initiated Phase I trials with oral KEAP1 activator in solid tumors and oral STAT3 inhibitor in solid and hematologic malignancies and has IND-enabling programs including a RAS-P13KCA program for RAS-driven cancers.
Additionally in the field of precision oncology, investigational BAY 2927088, an oral, small molecule, tyrosine kinase inhibitor as a potential new targeted therapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring HER2 activating mutations, showed promising results as a second line therapy in the ongoing Phase I/II SOHO-01 study evaluating safety and efficacy. Its potential is underscored by Breakthrough Therapy Designations from both the FDA and Chinese CDE. Beyond the SOHO-01 trial, BAY 2927088 is also being assessed for its potential as a first-line therapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), whose tumors have activating HER2 mutations in the SOHO-02 trial. Further, a Phase I clinical trial with BAY3498264, an investigational oral selective Son of Sevenless Homologue 1 (SOS1) inhibitor, has recently been initiated (outside of the US). The open-label, first-in-human, dose escalation study will evaluate patients with KRAS G12C-mutated metastatic cancer. This innovative approach has the potential to enhance the treatment options available for patients, offering the possibility to reduce or stop tumor progression.
Targeted Radionuclide Therapy (TRT) is a strategic area of focus in Oncology precision drug development at Bayer, building on more than 10 years of real-world experience with radium Ra 223 dichloride injection therapy, marketed as XOFIGO, for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Bayer´s evolving TRT portfolio includes novel targeting approaches which combine alpha radionuclides such as actinium-225 with different targeting moieties, including antibodies, small molecules or peptide-based molecules. 225Ac-pelgifatamab (BAY 3546828) and 225Ac-PSMA-Trillium (BAY 3563254), two candidates targeting PSMA (prostate specific membrane antigen), are currently in Phase I clinical trials in patients with advanced metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). For important risk and use information about XOFIGO, please see the full Prescribing Information.
In the field of cardiovascular diseases, Bayer is making progress with its Phase II assets. With BAY3283142, an investigational soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activator in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), Bayer has entered into a Phase II clinical study. By modulating sGC via a heme-independent pathway, the investigational sGC activator now represents a new class of potential future drugs that could offer an advantage in conditions of high oxidative stress such as in diabetic nephropathy.
With the anti-alpha2 antiplasmin antibody program, Bayer is developing a new modality and mechanism of action-based thrombolytic agent. Based on investigational research, the antibody works by specifically blocking the endogenous plasmin inhibitor, α2AP, potentially leading to the lysis of acute embolic or thrombotic clots with a tolerable safety profile. The investigational antibody is currently being evaluated in Phase II in patients with deep vein thrombosis and could be used for indications of high medical relevance.