Bayer's Gene and Cell Therapy Pipeline Aims to Transform Parkinson's, Oncology, Rare Diseases and More

Bayer's gene and cell therapy pipeline aims to transform Parkinson's, oncology, rare diseases, and more. The company has acquired Viralgen, a subsidiary of AskBio, to advance its cell and gene therapies. Bayer is prioritizing Parkinson's disease, oncology, cardiovascular, and rare diseases for treatment. The company is working to reshape what's possible for those impacted by severe diagnoses and is advancing progress for patients with Parkinson's disease, being the first company with both investigational cell and gene therapies.

Bayer AG, a global healthcare company, is making significant strides in the gene and cell therapy space, with a particular focus on transforming the treatment landscape for Parkinson's disease, oncology, and rare diseases. The company has recently acquired Viralgen, a subsidiary of AskBio, to bolster its pipeline of investigational cell and gene therapies. This strategic move aligns with Bayer's broader objective to reshape what's possible for patients with severe diagnoses.

One of Bayer's key initiatives is the development of cell and gene therapies for Parkinson's disease. The company is pioneering this field by being the first to bring both investigational cell and gene therapies to the market. A notable example is the SUNRISE-PD trial, a hybrid decentralized phase 2 study of bezisterim (BioVie) in early-stage Parkinson's disease. The trial aims to improve accessibility for patients by allowing them to complete visits either at home or in a clinic, addressing barriers such as delayed diagnosis and geographic constraints Phase 2 SUNRISE-PD Trial to Test BioVie‘s Bezisterim for Early-Stage Parkinson Disease^[1].

The SUNRISE-PD trial is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of bezisterim on motor and nonmotor symptoms in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease. The study is expected to last 20 weeks and includes in-home visits conducted by nurses with neurologist oversight. The trial's decentralized design is a significant advancement, making participation more inclusive and accessible AskBio Presents Interim Safety Results from Phase 1/Phase 2 LION-CS101 Clinical Trial of AB-1003 in Participants with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 2I/R9^[2].

In addition to Parkinson's disease, Bayer is also focusing on oncology and rare diseases. The company's gene therapy pipeline includes AB-1003, an investigational recombinant adeno-associative virus (AAV)-based gene therapy for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) 2I/R9. The LION-CS101 clinical trial, a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation trial, has shown promising interim safety data from the first cohort of participants. The trial aims to evaluate the safety of AB-1003 gene therapy in adults with LGMD2I/R9 .

Bayer's strategic acquisitions and investments in gene and cell therapies position it as a leader in this rapidly evolving field. By focusing on high-impact diseases and leveraging its extensive expertise in gene therapy, Bayer is working to transform the lives of patients and set new standards in medical treatment.