Bayer’s (BAYRY) HealthCare segment has been performing very well with the addition of products like Xarelto (anticoagulant), Eylea (eye drug), Stivarga (oncology), Xofigo (oncology) and Adempas (pulmonary hypertension) to its portfolio. The new products are expected to contribute around €2.8 billion to segmental sales in 2014. The company is also looking to expand their labels.
Earlier in the week, the HealthCare segment announced that it submitted a Marketing Authorization Application for Xarelto in Japan for the treatment of patients suffering from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) as well as to prevent recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE).
The submission was based on results from the three global studies under the EINSTEIN program and also from the J-EINSTEIN studies which were run in Japan. Pooled data from the studies showed that the single-drug approach of Xarelto was more effective in the treatment as well as prevention of recurrent DVT and PE, compared to the traditional dual-drug regimen of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and a vitamin K antagonist (VKA).
Xarelto also demonstrated a comparable safety profile. Moreover, Xarelto was effective in reducing the rate of major bleeding events by 46% compared to the dual-drug regimen.
Xarelto is already approved as an oral single-drug approach for the treatment of DVT and PE in several countries around the globe including the U.S. and EU. Bayer recorded Xarelto sales of €342 million in the first quarter of 2014.
We note that Xarelto is jointly developed by Bayer and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). The drug is marketed by Johnson & Johnson in the U.S. and by Bayer outside the U.S. Xarelto is approved for several indications including stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, DVT, PE and reduction of the risk of recurrent DVT and PE.
Bayer currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Some better-ranked stocks include Allergan Inc. (AGN) and Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD). Both stocks carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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