Bayer Expands Ophthalmology Pipeline with $2.45B Perfuse Therapeutics Acquisition

Deal strengthens Bayer’s position in retinal disease and glaucoma as long-acting ophthalmology therapies attract growing investment.

Bayer has agreed to acquire Perfuse Therapeutics in a deal worth up to $2.45 billion, adding investigational ophthalmology therapy PER-001 to its pipeline for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

The acquisition strengthens Bayer’s retinal disease portfolio as the company looks beyond anti-VEGF therapies and toward longer-acting treatments targeting vascular dysfunction in chronic eye disease.

Alert Type	Acquisition / Pipeline Expansion
Drug/Device Name	PER-001
Indication	Glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy
Therapy Area(s)	Ophthalmology, Retina, Glaucoma, Diabetic Eye Disease
Geography	Global
What Changed	Bayer has agreed to acquire Perfuse Therapeutics in a deal worth up to $2.45 billion, adding investigational ophthalmology therapy PER-001 to its pipeline. The intravitreal implant has completed Phase II studies in glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, showing significant vision improvements versus control.
Clinical Relevance	Expands Bayer’s ophthalmology pipeline beyond anti-VEGF therapies with a potential long-acting treatment targeting retinal perfusion and vascular dysfunction, areas of growing interest in chronic eye disease management.
Source Link	https://www.bayer.com/
Date	6-May-2026
Status	Draft
Notes	Deal includes $300m upfront plus development, regulatory, and commercial milestones. PER-001 is a small-molecule endothelin receptor antagonist delivered via a six-month intravitreal implant. Acquisition comes as Bayer faces increasing biosimilar competition and pricing pressure around Eylea (aflibercept).

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