Bayer accelerates innovation in Pharmaceuticals

March 31, 2023 | 19:00
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At its annual Pharma Media Day, Bayer presented the recent progress it has made in the ongoing transformation of its pharmaceutical business, focusing on accelerating innovative healthcare solutions and delivering long-term, sustainable growth.

Speaking at the event, Stefan Oelrich, member of the Board of Management at Bayer AG and president of Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division said, “The transformation of our pharma business is progressing well. With bold investments in industry-leading technology platforms, we have bolstered our research and development (R&D) capabilities and strengthened our early development pipeline. Our strategy aims to deliver new medicines to patients quickly and drive sustainable growth."

Bayer used the occasion to showcase how its investments in strategic technology platforms have accelerated its medical and digital innovations and will advance the company’s leadership ambitions in cardiology, oncology, and radiology. In addition, Bayer provided insights into its innovation strategy, comprising enhanced R&D capabilities in key areas.

Bayer Pharmaceuticals accelerates innovation

Taking the lead in oncology

The company has doubled its portfolio of oncology treatments over the past five years, with nearly one third of new molecular entities within Bayer’s development pipeline dedicated to fighting cancer, spanning all phases of clinical development.

With recent major investments, including setting up the new $140 million Bayer Research and Innovation Center facility in Massachusetts and acquiring Vividion Therapeutics for $1.5 billion, the company has fortified its oncology innovation engine substantially.

“We are well-placed to deliver on our commitment to bring innovative medicines to cancer patients,” said Christine Roth, Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division and Head of the Oncology Strategic Business Unit. “Bayer has clear ambitions to become a top oncology company. We are investing in innovative treatments and modalities that have the potential to be transformative for a broad range of cancer patients, who currently have little or no treatment options.”

Bayer Pharmaceuticals accelerates innovation

The next generation of cardiovascular therapies

Building on its strong late-stage projects, Bayer has set a clear directive towards precision cardiology, exploring innovative approaches across a diverse range of modalities, with the aim of pushing the boundaries of innovation for patients with cardiovascular diseases with high unmet needs and potentially reversing life-altering conditions.

With the acquisition of Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio), the company has gained access to an industry-leading gene therapy platform with demonstrated applicability and world-class manufacturing facilities to foster the development of gene therapy as a potential new approach for treating congestive heart failure.

Beyond congestive heart failure, AskBio is also currently advancing four clinical-stage and a number of preclinical candidates addressing medical need indications across a diverse set of diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Pompe disease and Huntington’s disease.

In addition, Bayer’s advancements in the treatment of cardiovascular disease are enabled by digitalised, decentralised and more diverse clinical trials, as well as access to industry-leading sources of data, such as the Accelerating Medicines Partnership in Heart Failure and the Broad Institute’s Precision Cardiology Laboratory. These initiatives are helping to accelerate the discovery of new molecules and bring new treatments to patients that need them.

Leveraging digital innovation

In the radiology sector, Bayer is implementing its innovation strategy with a key focus on digital medical imaging and AI.

Recently, the company launched a medical imaging platform, which delivers access to digital applications, including those powered by AI. The platform is designed to support healthcare professionals at various stages of their work, from diagnosis through treatment of their patients.

To bolster its position in the medical imaging AI market and drive digital innovation in healthcare, Bayer acquired the global strategic imaging AI platform and solutions provider Blackford Analysis Ltd, which will operate under its well established “arm’s length” operating model.

Furthermore, Bayer is investing in data leverage and rapidly evolving technologies such as AI throughout the entire pharma value chain, from discovery to production. The company is partnering with technology leaders such as Google Cloud and biotech leaders such as Recursion Pharmaceuticals to access new areas of innovation.

Sustainable healthcare support with Bayer Sustainable healthcare support with Bayer

According to the United Nations Population Division, during the next 45 years, the number of persons aged 60 years or over is expected almost to triple, increasing from 672 million in 2005 to nearly 1.9 billion by 2050.

Bayer Vietnam shaping the future of sustainable agriculture Bayer Vietnam shaping the future of sustainable agriculture

Committed to contributing to the sustainable development of Vietnam’s agricultural sector, in addition to providing advanced, safe, and highly effective agricultural solutions, Bayer is actively implementing initiatives with strategic partners in the industry to realise the vision of “Health for All, Hunger for None”.

Bayer steps up efforts in “health for all, hunger for none” vision Bayer steps up efforts in “health for all, hunger for none” vision

Bayer has been spearheading various initiatives to promote the sustainable development of Vietnam’s agriculture sector and safeguard the safety of farmers while enhancing the sustainability of the country’s healthcare sector.

By Thanh Van

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