Bayer reported a late-stage (Phase 3) trial showing its oral factor XIa inhibitor asundexian reduced the risk of recurrent stroke in a subset of patients. The readout, disclosed by Bayer, delivered a statistically significant benefit on recurrent ischemic events and prompted renewed interest in FXIa as an anticoagulation target after a period of negative results in the class. Factor XIa inhibitors aim to prevent thrombosis with less bleeding than standard anticoagulants; this result will accelerate regulatory and commercial planning and push competitors to revisit FXIa programs.