Bayer, Vidac Pharma, Xiaomi: What matters now for your health

Bayer achieves success with Nubeqa™ for prostate cancer

Bayer AG has achieved its adjusted targets for 2024. Group sales amounted to EUR 46.6 billion, and EBITDA before special items was EUR 10.1 billion. 2025 is set to be a key year for the turnaround after a valley of tears. For the year ahead, the Board of Management expects a stronger performance.

In the pharmaceutical division, Bayer was able to increase revenue by 3.3% to EUR 18.1 billion in 2024. The prostate cancer drug Nubeqa™ has contributed significantly to this success. CEO Bill Anderson is convinced that Nubeqa™ will improve the lives of countless patients and further boost the business. The global market for prostate cancer therapeutics was valued at USD 13.4 billion in 2024, according to Grand View Research and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.6% from 2025 to 2030. For 2025, Bayer plans to increase sales of Nubeqa™ and Kerendia™ (chronic kidney disease) from EUR 2 billion to over EUR 2.5 billion. New products for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and therapies for hot flashes associated with menopausal symptoms will expand the portfolio.

The CEO is optimistic despite a 9% decline in EBITDA to EUR 4.7 billion. Free cash flow reached EUR 3.1 billion, and net financial debt fell to EUR 32.6 billion. Debt reduction and the "Dynamic Shared Ownership (DSO)" model (2025 savings: EUR 800 million) are the main focus. The DSO model represents a change in the organizational structure that reduces hierarchies, cuts bureaucracy, accelerates decision-making processes, and makes the Company more agile and customer-oriented. As a result, decisions that used to take weeks are now made in hours.

For 2025, the Company predicts stable sales but a slightly weaker result. The US glyphosate litigation is expected to be contained by 2026. With Nubeqa™ and further investments in research, Bayer seems to be slowly consolidating.

Vidac Pharma is revolutionizing cancer therapy with the Warburg effect

The biopharmaceutical company Vidac Pharma is inspiring new confidence among investors and millions of patients undergoing oncology treatment. As a clinical-stage company, it is developing therapies that target cancer cells by reversing their aberrant metabolism – a trick that tumors use to survive. The compounds in Vidac's pipeline, such as VDA-1102 and VDA-1275, attack cancer cells where they differ from healthy cells: they use excessive sugar for energy – a phenomenon discovered by Nobel Prize winner Otto Warburg (Warburg effect). These approaches from Vidac Pharma boost the immune response and could enhance the effect of other therapies when used in combination.

One example is VDA-1102, which exploits the Warburg effect to attack cancer cells. In actinic keratosis (AK), a common precursor of skin cancer, VDA-1102 ointment has shown solid results in Phase 2b studies, with 40% of patients achieving complete clearance and lesions reduced by 80% – with excellent tolerability. It blocks the binding of hexokinase 2 (HK2) to mitochondrial VDAC channels, selectively eliminating cancer cells. With demonstrably few side effects, it stands out from conventional therapies. VDA-1102 is also showing promising interim results in a Phase 2 study for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

Another promising candidate is VDA-1275, which is being developed for solid tumors and has shown strong efficacy in preclinical studies. It targets the same mechanism as VDA-1102 by blocking hexokinase 2, binding to VDAC channels, and has demonstrated significant effects and an immune response, both alone and in combination with standard therapies. With its growing pipeline, Vidac is at a turning point on the road to becoming a fully-fledged clinical company. For investors, Vidac Pharma offers an opportunity to invest in a company with a compelling, science-based approach and great potential.

Xiaomi focuses on health and growth with the Watch S4

The Chinese tech company Xiaomi unveiled the new Xiaomi Watch S4 in Barcelona at the beginning of March – a fitness watch that accurately measures health data. The watch uses high-precision sensors that, according to Xiaomi, achieve up to 98% accuracy in heart rate measurement. The sensors provide detailed data on blood oxygen levels, stress levels, and sleep quality.

With the "One-Tap Health Insight" function, the watch generates a health report within about 60 seconds, supplemented by breathing exercises for relaxation. For athletes, the Watch S4 offers over 150 sports modes, including jogging, cycling, and swimming. In China, where chronic illnesses are on the rise, preventive measures such as these are crucial to protect the population's health and reduce healthcare costs.

The Xiaomi model costs about half as much as its competitor Apple Watch. Since the Chinese tech company also produces compatible smartphones with the corresponding software, it is a serious rival to the US company. The previous Q3-2024 results are convincing: revenues increased significantly, and adjusted net profit grew slightly. Xiaomi shows how innovation drives growth.

Financially, Xiaomi is in a robust position, with high liquidity and global reach, supported by 685.8 million monthly users. Its brand strength is reflected in its ranking of 87th by Interbrand in 2024. For investors, the Company offers an attractive combination of financial solidity and innovative strength, particularly in a market that is increasingly prioritizing health.

Bayer is implementing cost-reducing organizational measures and developing pioneering drugs such as Nubeqa™ to achieve long-term growth despite high debt and a wave of lawsuits from the US. The focus on prostate cancer and new products for cardiovascular diseases and menopause shows innovative strength. With a turnaround by 2026 in sight, Bayer remains a solid candidate in the pharmaceutical industry. Vidac Pharma impresses with its unique approach to utilizing the Warburg Effect in the treatment of cancer cells, which could sustainably transform oncology. In particular, the clinical progress with VDA-1102 against skin lesions shows potential for a breakthrough. Xiaomi combines smart technology with a focus on health and offers investors technological innovations with growth potential. All three companies are pioneers in shaping the future of health.