Bayer A pharmaceutical company focusing on innovation to improve patient’s quality of life and answer unmet medical needs

Cardiologist at a microscope

© Bayer Group

Thrombosis researcher

As leading life science company, Bayer first started operating in the Benelux over 100 years ago. With 4 sites and over 2,100 employees in the region and 117,000 people worldwide, Bayer recorded € 732 Mio of sales in 2018 and 33 clinical studies in progress including 14 in phase III in Belgium at the end of the second quarter of 2019.

The Bayer Group is managed as a life science company with three divisions: Pharmaceuticals (prescription products, especially for cardiology and women’s health care, specialty therapeutics in the areas of oncology, hematology and ophthalmology, radiology), Consumer Health (OTC medicines, medical products and cosmetics in the dermatology, nutritional supplement, analgesic, digestive health, allergies, coughs and colds, skin and foot care), and Crop Science.

“Demographic change is impacting health care systems through the growing number of chronic diseases and the increasing occurrence of multiple conditions. At Bayer, we are seeking to contribute to medical progress through our focus on researching, developing and marketing innovative medicines that provide significant clinical benefit and value primarily in the therapeutic areas of cardiology, oncology, gynecology, hemophilia, and ophthalmology. We are also continuing to invest in R&D on major areas such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and certain uses in gynecology”, said Werner De Prins, Country Division Head Pharmaceuticals and Bayer CEO Benelux.

Bayer concentrates its R&D activities on innovative treatment alternatives for diseases with a high unmet medical need to improve patients’ quality of life and prolong lives. The focus is on therapeutic areas with a high medical need, where more innovations are needed despite considerable progress. In this context, Bayer holds a leading position in the treatment of hemophilia and multiple sclerosis, in contrast media and oral contraception. With new approaches in cancer therapy, cardiovascular diseases and gynaecological therapies Bayer seeks to become an innovation leader in these fields. In addition, Bayer is further developing currently marketed products in order to improve their application and/or extend the range of indications.

To supplement the R&D activities, Bayer will continue to expand its portfolio through acquisitions, licensing agreements and external collaborations while maintaining a targeted approach. In that prospect, Bayer acquired BlueRock Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company based in the United States, dedicated to the development of cell therapies in the areas of neurology, cardiology and immunology, using a proprietary platform of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). A first clinical trial on Parkinson's disease is already planned for the course of 2020. This acquisition will allow Bayer to strengthen its position as leader in cell therapy.

On top of that Bayer supports innovation through initiatives such as Grants4Apps, projects for novel software, hardware or technologies contributing to improve health outcomes or pharmaceutical processes. Belgian start-ups already took part in this initiative.

PP-OTH-BE-0029-1 3/10/2019

Bayer SA-NV J.E. Mommaertslaan 14 B-1831 Diegem (Machelen) Tel.: +32 (0)2 535 63 11 http://www.bayer.be