Despite promising mid-stage data for the Ionis-partnered fesomersen and osocimab, licensed from Aronora, the German major has plumped for asundexian as the priority compound for its Factor XIa efforts.

With Nubeqa establishing itself as a strong option for prostate cancer, Bayer is shifting its short-term focus from oncology onto cardiovascular and plotting a late-stage plan for asundexian, its follow-up to Xarelto.

Bayer's pharmaceuticals chief Stefan Oelrich says that sales of treatments in the areas of ophthalmology, women’s healthcare and radiology have risen sharply, recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly a year into the job, research chief Christian Rommel tells Scrip he is impressed with Bayer's arm's length approach to running acquired firms like AskBio and BlueRock and the task ahead is to deliver on the potential they offer, while getting later-stage projects across the approvals finishing line.