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January 31st, 2025 | 06:55 CET

Vidac Pharma, Bayer AG, Novo Nordisk: Three companies that will shape the pharmaceutical landscape in 2025

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotech
  • Pharma
Photo credits: pixabay.com

The pharmaceutical industry is again demonstrating its market power between innovation and risk: Vidac Pharma reports a milestone in colorectal cancer therapy with VDA1275. The combination of the active ingredient with a chemotherapeutic agent achieves a 38.9% tumor reduction in preclinical studies. This synergy effect raises hope for gentler chemotherapy treatments and more innovative approaches. Bayer AG is making waves at the JP Morgan Health Conference with its pharmaceutical pipeline: the prostate cancer drug Nubeqa™ achieves blockbuster status with revenue of EUR 1 billion. In women's health, the first non-hormonal therapy for menopausal symptoms is expected to reach the US market as early as 2025. Novo Nordisk, on the other hand, is threatened with a class-action lawsuit in the billion-dollar market for obesity drugs: the REDEFINE-1 study on the promising drug CagriSema revealed weaknesses in the study design. After the results were made public, the share price fell by 18%. While Vidac Pharma and Bayer impress with precise study results, the Novo Nordisk case shows the fragility of methodological fuzziness. The details.

time to read: 5 minutes | Author: Juliane Zielonka
ISIN: VIDAC PHARMA HOLDING PLC | GB00BM9XQ619 , BAYER AG NA O.N. | DE000BAY0017 , NOVO NORDISK A/S | DK0062498333

Table of contents:


    David Elsley, CEO, Cardiol Therapeutics Inc.
    "[...] As a company dedicated to developing treatments for rare heart diseases, we see this as an opportune moment to contribute to the fight against heart disease and make meaningful strides in improving heart health worldwide. [...]" David Elsley, CEO, Cardiol Therapeutics Inc.

    Full interview

     

    Vidac Pharma: New drug combination reduces cancer tumor size by 38.9% in preclinical study

    Cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death in Germany, accounting for 22% of all deaths. According to Destatis, people between the ages of 40 and 74 are particularly affected by the insidious disease, with more men than women impacted (54% to 46%). Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death. These alarming figures illustrate the ongoing need for innovative therapeutic approaches and sustainable research.

    One company stands out in particular. The biopharmaceutical company Vidac Pharma has reported excellent preclinical results for its active ingredient VDA1275 in the fight against colorectal cancer. The research is being conducted in this phase in animal models in combination with low-dose cisplatin. The chemotherapy drug cisplatin blocks the DNA repair mechanisms of cancer cells, thereby triggering their programmed cell death (apoptosis).

    VDA1275 works by reversing the Warburg effect and reactivating apoptosis while simultaneously modifying the tumor microenvironment. Cancer cells obtain energy by fermenting glucose, while normal cells convert sugar (glucose) directly into energy. Fermentation results in much less energy but produces much stronger growth. This is precisely the Warburg effect, named after the researcher of the same name in 1931. By reversing the Warburg effect, the cancer cells are forced to adapt their energy production to the standard of normal cells. This inhibits the growth of the degenerate cells and can lead to natural cell death.

    The results of the research are convincing: the median survival time could be extended from 26 days (untreated) to 45 days with the combination of the active ingredients, while treatment with cisplatin alone only achieved 31 days. Dr. Max Herzberg, CEO of Vidac Pharma, explains: "We are very excited by these results. They pave the way for clinical trials in humans and offer the potential for reduced suffering and greater efficacy of treatment. VDA1275 is a key to a better use of chemotherapy through agents that modify the tumor microenvironment."

    In combination with cisplatin, the therapeutic effect is enhanced, particularly in terms of tumor size reduction. The combination therapy achieved a 38.9% reduction in tumor size after 38 days. This is 16.2% more than would be achieved by adding the individual effects of cisplatin and VDA1275. The combination is, therefore, a key to success.

    The results confirm earlier findings on the synergy between VDA1275 and classic chemotherapeutic agents. This means that there is a good chance that the active ingredient could be used both as a stand-alone cancer drug and as a chemotherapy enhancer.

    Bayer AG: Pharmaceuticals division reports significant pipeline successes and regulatory progress

    At the annual JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, Bayer AG announces major advances in its pharmaceutical division. Several drugs are on the verge of market launch, including treatments for prostate cancer, heart failure, and menopause symptoms.

    The prostate cancer drug Nubeqa™ has now reached blockbuster status with over 100,000 patients treated worldwide, corresponding to a turnover of EUR 1 billion. Applications have been submitted in the EU, US, and China for the additional indication of metastatic cancer. In addition, Kerendia™ is on the verge of expanded approval for the treatment of heart failure, which is expected by the end of 2025.

    Elinzanetant, a non-hormonal therapy for hot flashes, promises a breakthrough in menopausal symptoms. The Phase III OASIS 4 study results are convincing for the Leverkusen-based company. The active ingredient alleviates vasomotor symptoms. What recently read like increased drowsiness is now framed as improving sleep and quality of life. The market launch is planned for 2025 in the United States.

    Bayer AG is also reporting innovations in the fight against cancer. The active ingredient BAY 2927088, for example, is on the verge of a breakthrough in HER2-mutated lung cancer. "Our pipeline is accelerating breakthrough innovations despite a complex market environment," emphasizes Stefan Oelrich, member of the Board of Management responsible for Pharmaceuticals. With these advances, Bayer is positioning itself for long-term growth.

    Novo Nordisk targeted by class action lawsuit after disappointing study data

    The Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk is facing a class-action lawsuit after its experimental anti-obesity drug CagriSema lagged far behind communicated expectations in a Phase III study. Complaining investors accuse the Company of deliberately concealing risks of the flexible study design. The dose of the active ingredient administered was particularly flexible. When the disappointing study results were announced, the share price fell by 18% on the New York Stock Exchange.

    The lawsuit, filed in the US federal district court of New Jersey, criticizes the representation of the REDEFINE-1 trial with over 1,500 participants. Between November 2022 and December 2024, Novo Nordisk continuously stated that a 25% weight reduction was a realistic goal. However, the flexible dosing protocol made it difficult to draw valid conclusions, as patients were allowed to adjust their dosage themselves.

    Specifically, after 68 weeks, only 57.3% of CagriSema patients were on the maximum dose. "This indicates either unexpected side effects or hasty participant selection," the indictment said. Investors who held shares until December 19, 2024, can still register as lead plaintiffs zlk.com/pslra-1/novo-nordisk-a-s-lawsuit-submission-form until March 25, 2025.

    The law firm Hagens Berman is urging insiders to come forward under the SEC program, offering rewards of up to 30% for successful investigations. In addition, according to partner Reed Kathrein, the law firm is investigating whether the Danish pharmaceutical company "knowingly concealed the lack of validity in the study design". Novo Nordisk has remained silent so far.

    CagriSema was seen as a beacon of hope and successor to Wegovy™ in the USD 35 billion market for obesity drugs. Analysts now doubt whether the flexibly dosed study would have even allowed FDA approval.


    Vidac Pharma is setting new standards in colorectal cancer research with the active ingredient VDA1275. By reversing the Warburg effect in combination with cisplatin, the research team has succeeded in reducing tumors by 38.9% and extending lifespan in preclinical studies. The combination of both active ingredients offers hope for innovative therapies and could simultaneously improve the results of chemotherapy. Bayer AG has promising active ingredients in its pharmaceutical pipeline: the Company is set to achieve blockbuster status of EUR 1 billion in revenue for the first time with the prostate cancer drug Nubeqa™. In the market for hormone-free therapies for menopausal symptoms and in the fight against cancer, pharmaceutical board member Stefan Oelrich is confident. Novo Nordisk is threatened with a class action lawsuit in the competitive obesity sector due to weaknesses in the study design for the successor to Wegovy™, CagriSema. The accusation of a lack of transparency hits the Company at a time of fierce competition. Competitors such as Eli Lilly see their chance in the USD 35 billion weight loss market. Vidac Pharma scores with a clear study design and convincing results, Bayer seems to be recovering, at least in the pharmaceutical sector, and Novo Nordisk faces a lawsuit.


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    Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as "Relevant Persons") may hold shares or other financial instruments of the aforementioned companies in the future or may bet on rising or falling prices and thus a conflict of interest may arise in the future. The Relevant Persons reserve the right to buy or sell shares or other financial instruments of the Company at any time (hereinafter each a "Transaction"). Transactions may, under certain circumstances, influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the Company.

    In addition, Apaton Finance GmbH is active in the context of the preparation and publication of the reporting in paid contractual relationships.

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    Der Autor

    Juliane Zielonka

    Born in Bielefeld, she studied German, English and psychology. The emergence of the Internet in the early '90s led her from university to training in graphic design and marketing communications. After years of agency work in corporate branding, she switched to publishing and learned her editorial craft at Hubert Burda Media.

    About the author



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