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Riociguat

Phase 3

Hypertension, Pulmonary | Small molecule | Cardiovascular |Bayer AG|Last Updated: Jul 28, 2025

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

CONTROLLEDDMC
Total Trials6
Total Enrollment584

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

Riociguat · 18 trials · 11 indications

Phase 3 5Phase 2 6Phase 1 7
NCT02007629Riociguat Clinical Effects Studied in Patients With Insufficient Treatment Response to Phosphodiesterase-5 InhibitorHypertension, Pulmonary
COMPLETED61 Analytics
NCT00910429BAY63-2521 - Long-term Extension Study in Patients With Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary HypertensionPulmonary Hypertension
COMPLETED237 Analytics
NCT00863681BAY63-2521:Long-term Extension Study in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial HypertensionHypertension, Pulmonary
COMPLETED396 Analytics
NCT00855465A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Oral BAY63-2521 in Patients With CTEPH.Pulmonary Hypertension
COMPLETED262 Analytics
NCT00810693A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Oral BAY63-2521 in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)Pulmonary Hypertension
COMPLETED445 Analytics
PHASE3COMPLETED
Riociguat Clinical Effects Studied in Patients With Insufficient Treatment Response to Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitor
Hypertension, PulmonaryUnlock trial analytics
PHASE3COMPLETED
BAY63-2521 - Long-term Extension Study in Patients With Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary HypertensionUnlock trial analytics
PHASE3COMPLETED
BAY63-2521:Long-term Extension Study in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Hypertension, PulmonaryUnlock trial analytics
PHASE3COMPLETED
A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Oral BAY63-2521 in Patients With CTEPH.
Pulmonary HypertensionUnlock trial analytics
PHASE3COMPLETED
A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Oral BAY63-2521 in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
Pulmonary HypertensionUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Change from baseline in 6 Minute Walking Distance (6MWD)
Baseline, Week 12 and Week 24

6MWD test was used to measure the subjects functional exercise capacity. Subjects were instructed to walk alone, not run, from one end to the other end of the walking course, at their own pace, while attempting to cover as much ground as possible in 6 minutes. No "warm-up" period was performed before the test. Investigators have not walked with the subjects. This was an encouraged test (the person conducting the test encouraged subjects to walk farther or faster by using only standardized phrases).

Number of Participants With Treatment-emergent Adverse Events (TEAE)
From administration of first dose of study medication up to 2 days after end of treatment with study medication, up to 10 years

Analyses of drug-related TEAEs were based on the assessment of causal relationship to study medication.

Number of Participants With Death
From baseline to end of safety follow-up visit, up to 10 years (1 month more than End of study visit)

Analyses of deaths were based on the assessment of causal relationship to study medication. The safety follow-up visit was to be performed 30 days after the last dose of riociguat.

Number of Participant With Death
From baseline to end of safety follow-up visit, up to 10 years and 6 months (1 month more than End of study visit)

Analyses of deaths were based on the assessment of causal relationship to study medication. The safety follow-up visit was to be performed 30 days after the last dose of riociguat.

6 Minutes Walking Distance (6MWD) - Change From Baseline to Week 16
Baseline and week 16

6-minute walking distance (6MWD) is a measure for the objective evaluation of a participant's functional exercise capacity.

6 Minutes Walking Distance (6MWD) - Change From Baseline to Week 12
Baseline and week 12

6-minute walking distance (6MWD) is a measure for the objective evaluation of a patient's functional exercise capacity.

Change From Baseline to End of Double-blind Treatment (Week 16) in Digital Ulcer Net Burden
Baseline to Week 16

Digital ulcer net burden is defined as the total number of "active" and indeterminate digital ulcers at an assessment. Active ulcers are defined as having a denuded area with defined border and loss of epithelialization, loss of epidermis and dermis. An indeterminate ulcer is defined as denudation that could not be visualized and no other clinical features of activity. A healed ulcer has complete re-epithelialization.

Change From Baseline in Modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS) to Week 52
Baseline to week 52

The mRSS is a validated physical examination method for estimating skin thickness. It correlates with biopsy measures of collagen in the dermis and reflects prognosis and visceral involvement, especially in early disease. It is scored on 0 (normal) to 3+ (severe induration) ordinal scales over 17 body areas, with a maximum score of 51 (higher score means worse situation) and is used to categorize severity of SSc. A decrease in the mean change of mRSS shows mRSS improved.

Number of participants with adverse events as a measure of safety and tolerability
5 weeks
Blood pressure
5 weeks
Pulse rate
5 weeks
Incidence of participants showing changes during clinical laboratory and hematology assessment
From baseline to 5 weeks
Plasma concentration at 2 h after riociguat administration
After 2 hours
Placebo corrected change in digital blood flow at room temperature, measured by Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging
At baseline and after 2h
Placebo corrected change in digital blood flow during cold exposure, measured by Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging
At baseline and after 2h
Maximum Change From Baseline in Supine Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) Within 4 Hours Post-dose at Visit 6 (Week 12)
Pre-dose (baseline) and within 4 hours post-dose at visit 6 (week 12)

Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured as standard vital sign parameter. Range allowed in this study: \<= 180 mmHg. In addition, SBP must be \>=95 mmHg in the first 2 hours after intake of background treatment with sildenafil. The maximum change from baseline at each visit was defined as the within-subject maximum decrease from baseline (or zero if baseline was lower than all subsequent SBP measurements in that profile) within 4 hours post-dose. Baseline was the last SBP recorded at and within 30 minutes before intake of study drug.

Safety and tolerability
12 weeks treatment
To investigate the safety, tolerability and feasibility of individual titration of BAY63-2521 according to peripheral systolic blood pressure
3 months
To investigate the long term safety and tolerability of BAY63-2521
max. 84 months
AUC of riociguat
at pre-dose and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8 24 and 48 hours post-dose
Cmax of riociguat
at pre-dose and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8 24 and 48 hours post-dose
AUC of riociguat main metabolite M1 (BAY 60-4552)
at pre-dose and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8 24 and 48 hours post-dose
Cmax of riociguat main metabolite M1 (BAY 60-4552)
at pre-dose and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8 24 and 48 hours post-dose
Pharmacokinetics of riociguat in plasma by Area under the plasma concentration time curve (AUC)
Multiple time points up to day 3
Pharmacokinetics of riociguat in plasma by maximal concentration (Cmax)
Multiple time ponits up to day 3
Area Under the Concentration Versus Time Curve From Zero to Infinity (AUC) of Riociguat and its Analyte M1 (BAY60-4552)
0 hour (predose), 15, 30, 45 minutes; 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 15, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours postdose

AUC is a measure of systemic drug exposure, which is obtained by collecting a series of blood samples and measuring the concentrations of drug in each sample. AUC is defined as area under concentration versus time curve from time 0 (predose) to extrapolated infinite time. Geometric mean and percentage geometric coefficient of variation (%CV) were reported.

Maximum Observed Drug Concentration (Cmax) of Riociguat and its Analyte M1 (BAY60-4552) After a Single Dose
0 hour (predose), 15, 30, 45 minutes; 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 15, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours postdose

Cmax refers to the highest measured drug concentration which is obtained by collecting a series of plasma samples and measuring the concentrations of drug in each sample. Geometric mean and percentage geometric coefficient of variation (%CV) were reported.

Area Under the Concentration Versus Time Curve From Zero to Infinity Divided by Dose (AUC/D) of Riociguat and its Analyte M1 (BAY60-4552) After a Single Dose
0 hour (predose), 15, 30, 45 minutes; 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 15, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours postdose

Geometric mean and percentage geometric coefficient of variation (%CV) were reported.

Maximum Observed Drug Concentration Adjusted by Dose (Cmax/D) of Riociguat and its Analyte M1 (BAY60-4552) After a Single Dose
0 hour (predose), 15, 30, 45 minutes; 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 15, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours postdose

Geometric mean and percentage geometric coefficient of variation (%CV) were reported.

AUC
Pre-dose and up to 72 hours post-dose, additionally up to 96 hours post-dose for Child Pugh B group only

Area under the plasma concentration vs time curve from zero to infinity for total (bound and unbound) drug after single dose for BAY 63-2521 and its metabolite M1 (BAY 60-4552)

Cmax
Pre-dose and up to 72 hours post-dose, additionally up to 96 hours post-dose for Child Pugh B group only

Maximum total (bound and unbound) drug concentration in plasma after single dose administration for BAY 63-2521 and its metabolite M1

Pre-dose and up to 72 hours post-dose, additionally up to 96 hours post-dose for Child Pugh B group only

Half-life associated with the terminal slope for BAY 63-2521 and its metabolite M1

fu
From 2 hours post-dose up to 24 hours post-dose

Fraction unbound for BAY 63-2521 and its metabolite M1

AUCu
From 2 hours post-dose up to 24 hours post-dose

AUC for unbound drug for BAY 63-2521 and its metabolite M1

Cmax,u
From 2 hours post-dose up to 24 hours post-dose

Cmax for unbound drug for BAY 63-2521 and its metabolite M1

Impact of a single dose of BAY63-2521 on pharmacodynamic parameters of the pulmonary system, on safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics.
At baseline, throughout study days 1 and 2
Swan-Ganz Hemodynamics - Maximal Change From Baseline at Day 1 of Mean Pulmonary Artery Pressure (PAPmean)
From baseline up to 4 hours after administration

PAPmean was reported during right heart catheterization

Swan-Ganz Hemodynamics - Maximal Change From Baseline at Day 1 of Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR)
From baseline up to 4 hours after administration

PVR was calculated according to the formula PVR = 80\*(PAPmean - pulmonary capillary wedge pressure)/cardiac output

Area Under the Plasma Concentration Versus Time Curve From Zero to Infinity (AUC) of Riociguat and Metabolite M1 After Single Dose of Riociguat
Study day 1: 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 hours post-dose; Study day 3: 0, 2, 6, 12, 24 hours post-dose
Area Under the Plasma Concentration Versus Time Curve From Zero to Infinity Divided by Dose (AUC/D) of Riociguat and Metabolite M1 After Single Dose of Riociguat
Study day 1: 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 hours post-dose; Study day 3: 0, 2, 6, 12, 24 hours post-dose
Area Under the Plasma Concentration Versus Time Curve From Zero to Infinity Divided by Dose Per kg Body Weight (AUCnorm) of Riociguat and Metabolite M1 After Single Dose of Riociguat
Study day 1: 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 hours post-dose; Study day 3: 0, 2, 6, 12, 24 hours post-dose
Maximum Drug Concentration in Plasma (Cmax) of Riociguat and Metabolite M1 After Single Dose of Riociguat
Study day 1: 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 hours post-dose; Study day 3: 0, 2, 6, 12, 24 hours post-dose
Maximum Drug Concentration in Plasma Divided by Dose (Cmax/D) of Riociguat and Metabolite M1 After Single Dose of Riociguat
Study day 1: 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 hours post-dose; Study day 3: 0, 2, 6, 12, 24 hours post-dose
Maximum Drug Concentration in Plasma Divided by Dose Per kg Body Weight (Cmax,Norm) of Riociguat and Metabolite M1 After Single Dose of Riociguat
Study day 1: 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 hours post-dose; Study day 3: 0, 2, 6, 12, 24 hours post-dose

Secondary Endpoints

Percentage of Participants With Treatment-emergent High Laboratory Abnormalities in Hematology and Coagulation
From baseline to Termination visit, up to 10 years
Percentage of Participants With Treatment-emergent Low Laboratory Abnormalities in Hematology and Coagulation
From baseline to Termination visit, up to 10 years
Change From Baseline of Hemoglobin in Hematology and Coagulation
From baseline to Termination visit, up to 10 years
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationNA
MaskingNONE
ModelSINGLE_GROUP
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
RiociguatEXPERIMENTALSubjects received riociguat film coated immediate-release (IR) tablet 3 times a day (tid) with or without food at a starting dose of 1.0 milligram (mg) and increased by 0.5 mg increments at 2-weekly intervals to a maximum of 2.5 mg tid, until Week 8 (titration phase). An optimal dose was determined based on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and well-being. Thereafter, riociguat continued at the optimal individual dose until Week 24 (Main phase). Dose reductions or stop of study medication for safety reasons were allowed at any time. Increases or re-increases in 0.5 mg steps (maximum dose 2.5 mg) were possible at the investigator's discretion weighing the benefit with potential risks implied. Subjects were offered participation in EDSP and received riociguat 2.5 mg film coated IR tablet 3 tid with or without food for 18 months or until reimbursement.
Arm 1EXPERIMENTAL -
Riociguat (Adempas, BAY63-2521)_individual dose titrationEXPERIMENTALParticipants received Riociguat orally as a film-coated tablet up to 2.5mg three times daily (tid) (titration between 1.0 mg and 2.5 mg tid based on an individual dose titration (IDT) scheme) for 16 weeks
PlaceboPLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants received Placebo orally as a film-coated tablet three times daily (tid) for 16 weeks
Riociguat (Adempas, BAY63-2521) up to 2.5 mg_IDTEXPERIMENTALParticipants received Riociguat orally as a film-coated tablet up to 2.5mg three times daily (tid) (titration between 1.0 mg and 2.5 mg tid based on an individual dose titration (IDT) scheme) for 12 weeks
Riociguat (Adempas, BAY63-2521) up to 1.5 mg_IDTEXPERIMENTALParticipants received Riociguat orally as a film-coated tablet up to 1.5mg three times daily (tid) (titration between 1.0 mg and 1.5 mg tid based on an individual dose titration (IDT) scheme) for 12 weeks
Riociguat+PlaceboEXPERIMENTALRandomization order 1: first single oral dose of 2 mg BAY63-2521, then matching placebo
Placebo+RiociguatEXPERIMENTALRandomization order 2: first matching placebo, then single oral dose of 2 mg BAY63-2521
Riociguat and ATRIPLAEXPERIMENTAL -
Riociguat and COMPLERAEXPERIMENTAL -
Riociguat and STRIBILDEXPERIMENTAL -
Riociguat and TRIUMEQEXPERIMENTAL -
Riociguat and antiretroviral protease inhibitor with TRIUMEQEXPERIMENTAL -
BAY63-2521 with Non sparkling waterEXPERIMENTALSingle dose of a whole 2.5 mg riociguat tablet (fasted) with 240 mL of non-sparkling water at room temperature
BAY63-2521 with applesauceEXPERIMENTALSingle dose of a crushed 2.5 mg riociguat tablet suspended in 50 mL applesauce, to be eaten with a spoon (fasted)
BAY63-2521 with waterEXPERIMENTALSingle dose of a crushed 2.5 mg riociguat tablet suspended in a glass with 25 mL water, to be drunk and flushed twice with 25 mL water in the same glass (fasted)
BAY63-2521 after breakfastEXPERIMENTALSingle dose of a whole 2.5 mg riociguat tablet taken within 5 minutes after the last bite of a continental breakfast (fed) with 240 mL of non-sparkling water at room temperature
Arm 2EXPERIMENTAL -
Arm 3EXPERIMENTAL -
Arm 4EXPERIMENTAL -
Arm 5EXPERIMENTAL -
Riociguat, Child Pugh AEXPERIMENTALParticipants with liver cirrhosis and mild hepatic impairment received a single dose of 1 mg (2 x 0.5 mg IR tablet) of riociguat in the fasted state
Riociguat, Child Pugh BEXPERIMENTALParticipants with liver cirrhosis and moderate hepatic impairment received a single dose of 1 mg (2 x 0.5 mg IR tablet) of riociguat in the fasted state
Riociguat, control AEXPERIMENTALHealthy age-, weight-, and gender- matched participants to Child Pugh A group received a single dose of 1 mg (2 x 0.5 mg IR tablet) of riociguat in the fasted state
Riociguat, control BEXPERIMENTALHealthy age-, weight-, and gender- matched participants to Child Pugh B group received a single dose of 1 mg (2 x 0.5 mg IR tablet) of riociguat in the fasted state
Riociguat, healthy participantsEXPERIMENTALParticipants with creatinine clearance (CLCR) \>80 mL/min received a single dose of 1 mg (2 x 0.5 mg IR tablet) of riociguat in the fasted state
Riociguat, mild renal impairmentEXPERIMENTALParticipants with CLCR 50-80 mL/min received a single dose of 1 mg (2 x 0.5 mg IR tablet) of riociguat in the fasted state
Riociguat, moderate renal impairmentEXPERIMENTALParticipants with CLCR 30-\<50 mL/min received a single dose of 1 mg (2 x 0.5 mg IR tablet) of riociguat in the fasted state
Riociguat, severe renal impairmentEXPERIMENTALParticipants with CLCR \<30 mL/min received a single dose of 1 mg (2 x 0.5 mg IR tablet) of riociguat in the fasted state
Riociguat (Adempas, BAY63-2521) 1.0 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants received two single oral doses of 1.0 mg riociguat on study day 1 and study day 3.
Riociguat (Adempas, BAY63-2521) 2.5 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants received two single oral doses of 2.5 mg riociguat on study day 1 and study day 3.

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
Riociguat (Adempas, BAY63-2521)DRUGRiociguat / BAY63-2521 film-coated tablets will be used in this study at a dosage of either 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mg. 3 times daily
Riociguat (BAY63-2521)DRUGBAY63-2521: 1mg tid -2.5 mg tid oral until end of study
PlaceboDRUGMatching Placebo tid orally for 16 weeks
RiociguatDRUGriociguat 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 2 mg and 2.5 mg administered TID; dose titration starting with 1.0 mg (planned up-titration every 2 weeks, with possibility of dose reduction for tolerability; 0.5 mg is the lowest dose and 2.5 mg is the highest dose to be administered)
SildenafilDRUGParticipants continued to take daily stable sildenafil background treatment according to their prescriptions.
Riociguat (Adempas, BAY63-2521).DRUGBAY63-2521 will be up-titrated from 1,0 mg TID to 2,5 mg TID
Riociguat (Adempas, BAY 63-2521)DRUG0.5 mg, Oral (fasted conditions), 1 single dose
ATRIPLADRUG600 mg efavirenz, 200 mg emtricitabine, and 300 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, i.e. 1 tablet, once daily
COMPLERADRUG200 mg emtricitabine, 25 mg rilpivirine, and 300 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, i.e. 1 tablet, once daily
STRIBILDDRUG150 mg elvitegravir, 150 mg cobicistat, 200 mg emtricitabine, and 300 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, i.e. 1 tablet, once daily
TRIUMEQDRUG600 mg abacavir, 50 mg dolutegravir, and 300 mg lamivudine, i.e. 1 tablet, once daily
Antiretroviral protease inhibitorDRUGAny approved antiretroviral protease inhibitor such as atazanavir, darunavir, indinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir ; consistent with the most recent prescribing information documents
Riociguat(Adempas,BAY63-2521)DRUGSingle dose of a whole 2.5 mg riociguat tablet
Riociguat (Adempas, BAY63-2521) 1.0 mgDRUG1.0 mg BAY63-2521 will be given twice per subject, as single dose administration during the hemodynamic investigation (on study day 1) and during the lung function testing (on study day 3).
Riociguat (Adempas, BAY63-2521) 2.5 mgDRUG2.5 mg BAY63-2521 will be given twice per subject, as single dose administration during the hemodynamic investigation (on study day 1) and during the lung function testing (on study day 3).
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range18 Years to 75 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo
Study Sites27

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female patients (18 -75 years of age) with idiopathic, familial, drug/toxin induced and associated PAH due to congenital heart disease (Group I / Dana Point Classification of PH) demonstrating insufficient response to treatment with PDE-5i for at least 3 months * Patie...

Countries:United StatesBelgiumCanadaCzechiaFranceGermanyItalySwitzerlandUnited KingdomArgentinaAustraliaAustriaBrazilChinaDenmarkIsraelJapanMexicoPolandPortugalRussiaSlovakiaSouth KoreaSpainTaiwanTurkey (Türkiye)GreeceSingaporeSwedenThailandNetherlandsNew ZealandHungary
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Frequently asked questions about Riociguat

What is Riociguat used for?

Riociguat is an investigational small molecule being studied for scleroderma, Raynaud disease, and HIV drug-drug interactions. It is also evaluated in clinical pharmacology studies. The drug is in Phase 1 clinical development and is not approved for any indication.

Who makes Riociguat?

Riociguat is developed by Bayer AG, a company traded under the ticker BAYRY. Bayer is conducting Phase 1 clinical trials to evaluate the drug's safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics.

What phase is Riociguat in?

Riociguat is in Phase 1 clinical development. All six completed trials were Phase 1 studies, with no active trials currently ongoing. The drug remains investigational and has not received regulatory approval.

What clinical trials is Riociguat in?

Riociguat has completed six Phase 1 trials, including NCT01489488, NCT02159313, NCT04364464, and NCT04366622. These studies evaluated bioavailability, food effects, and the impact of renal and hepatic impairment on the drug's pharmacokinetics.

Is Riociguat the same as BAY 63-2521?

Riociguat is also known as BAY 63-2521. Clinical trial records refer to the drug by this alternative name, particularly in studies assessing its safety, tolerability, and how the body absorbs, distributes, and eliminates the medication.