Bayer disclosed Phase 3 results showing its factor XIa inhibitor asundexian reduced recurrent ischemic stroke by 26% versus comparator in a secondary‑prevention population, with no major safety signals reported. The company provided additional trial details to support regulatory planning and to position asundexian within a new class of anticoagulants that aim to lower thrombotic risk with less bleeding. Bayer framed the data as a potential path to approval and a commercial opportunity against competing factor XIa programs by Bristol Myers Squibb and Johnson & Johnson. Factor XIa inhibition targets a distinct step in coagulation — a strategy intended to decouple antithrombotic efficacy from bleeding risk — and these pivotal results materially change the competitive calculus for next‑generation anticoagulants.