Bayer's (BAYRY) AskBio Advances Parkinson Disease Study

Company Overview - Bayer's subsidiary Asklepios BioPharmaceutical has initiated recruitment for the mid-stage study REGENERATE-PD, which evaluates the efficacy and safety of AB-1005 for moderate-stage Parkinson's disease [17] - The experimental gene therapy AB-1005 has shown promising results in a phase Ib study, achieving its primary endpoint of safety with no serious adverse events reported in 11 patients over 18 months [4][5] Clinical Trials and Research - REGENERATE-PD is a phase II study involving an estimated 87 subjects, with treatment involving bilateral image-guided infusion of AAV2-GDNF into the putamen [2][3] - The decision to advance AB-1005 to phase II followed positive results from the phase Ib study and the presentation of 18-month data at a neurology meeting [4] - AskBio is also exploring GDNF therapy for other conditions, including the parkinsonian subtype of multiple system atrophy (MSA-P) in a phase I study [8] Market Context - Bayer's stock has declined by 24.1% year to date, contrasting with the industry's growth of 23.1% [9] - The company faces challenges with pipeline and regulatory setbacks, necessitating successful delivery from its clinical pipeline [11] Future Prospects - Bayer anticipates that AB-1005 could have a transformative impact on Parkinson's disease treatment [7] - The company is also advancing other clinical programs across various disease indications, including congestive heart failure and Huntington's disease [7]