BERLIN, Germany, and SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 6, 2026
Bayer has announced an agreement to fully acquire Perfuse Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative treatments for ischemia-induced ocular diseases. The acquisition strengthens Bayer’s ophthalmology pipeline and gives the company full rights to PER-001, an investigational small molecule therapy currently in Phase II clinical development for Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). The strategic transaction highlights Bayer’s growing commitment to advanced eye disease therapeutics and expands its position in the rapidly evolving ophthalmology market.
Under the terms of the agreement, the transaction carries a total potential value of up to USD 2.45 billion, including an upfront payment of USD 300 million along with additional development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments. Bayer stated that the acquisition aligns closely with its long-term pharmaceutical growth strategy and reinforces its focus on developing therapies for diseases with significant unmet medical needs. The acquisition remains subject to regulatory approvals, antitrust clearance, and shareholder approval processes.
PER-001 Targets Major Causes of Vision Loss
According to Bayer and Perfuse Therapeutics, PER-001 is an investigational small molecule endothelin receptor antagonist designed to address retinal ischemia and neurodegeneration associated with severe eye diseases. The therapy is being developed as a potential disease-modifying treatment for both Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy, two leading causes of blindness worldwide.
The companies explained that endothelin is one of the body’s most powerful vasoconstrictors and is significantly upregulated in several retinal diseases including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and retinal vein occlusion. PER-001 is designed to inhibit endothelin activity while reducing inflammation, ischemia, and retinal cell death that contribute to progressive vision loss.
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The therapy is administered through a bio-erodible intravitreal implant designed to provide sustained drug release within the eye using a single-use applicator system. Bayer believes the sustained-release approach may support improved treatment adherence while reducing the burden associated with repeated ocular injections commonly used in retinal disease management.
Acquisition Strengthens Bayer’s Ophthalmology Strategy
Bayer stated that the acquisition complements its growing ophthalmology portfolio and expands its pipeline of innovative therapies targeting retinal diseases and irreversible blindness. The company emphasized that there are currently no approved neuroprotective treatments capable of preventing glaucoma progression independently of traditional intraocular pressure-lowering therapies, creating a major opportunity for new disease-modifying approaches.
Globally, glaucoma affects approximately 76 to 80 million people, with projections estimating that the disease could impact more than 112 million individuals by 2040 due to population aging. Diabetic retinopathy remains another major global healthcare burden affecting nearly 146 million people worldwide, including approximately 25 million patients with vision-threatening disease.
Juergen Eckhardt, M.D., Head of Business Development and Licensing at Bayer Pharmaceuticals, stated that the acquisition supports Bayer’s ongoing commitment to delivering urgently needed therapies for patients suffering from serious ophthalmic diseases. He highlighted the encouraging clinical potential of PER-001 and the opportunity to strengthen Bayer’s scientific expertise within ophthalmology drug development.
Perfuse Therapeutics Advances Novel Vision Loss Therapies
Perfuse Therapeutics has focused its research efforts on developing disease-modifying therapies for ischemia-driven ocular disorders using its proprietary sustained-release drug delivery platform. The company believes its approach could introduce new treatment possibilities for retinal diseases where current therapeutic options remain limited.
Sevgi Gurkan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Perfuse Therapeutics, stated that Bayer’s global infrastructure and ophthalmology expertise could help accelerate the future development and commercialization of PER-001. She noted that the acquisition allows Perfuse’s scientific mission to continue with expanded global resources and development capabilities.
The acquisition further demonstrates increasing pharmaceutical industry investment in advanced ophthalmology therapeutics as companies seek to address growing global demand for innovative treatments capable of slowing or preventing blindness. As retinal disease prevalence continues to rise worldwide, disease-modifying therapies targeting neuroprotection and vascular dysfunction are expected to become a major focus within the global biopharmaceutical sector.
Source: Bayer, Perfuse Therapeutics press release
