Bayer and Tsinghua University (THU) have announced the signing of the sixth phase of the collaboration agreement, aiming to further facilitate the translation of scientific research outcomes into drug discovery and development, focused on key selected areas of interests, such as oncology, cardiovascular and renal diseases, neurology & rare diseases, and immunology, accelerating cutting-edge scientific research across the pharmaceutical value chain.
Under the agreement, Germany headquartered pharmaceutical company Bayer will continue to provide funding and support for joint research projects over the next three years, as well as to scientists at THU in recognition of their outstanding contributions in life sciences and pharmaceutical innovation, and further enhance scientific research exchanges and discussions between the two parties.
Over the past 16 years, this partnership has resulted in 75 joint research projects and the publication of 15 co-authored papers in top international academic journals.
The company has established strategic partnerships with Tsinghua University and Peking University since 2009 and 2014, respectively. So far, Bayer and these two academic institutions have engaged in over 100 research collaboration projects, covering discovery and structural analysis of novel targets, pathogenesis and drug mechanism of action research, drug screening, efficacy evaluation as well as exploration on new modalities, new synthetic methods and innovative formulations.
In September 2024, Bayer Co.Lab inaugurated its new site in China, aiming to incubate 10 to 15 resident startups, focusing on cutting-edge innovations in oncology, cardiovascular and renal diseases, new technology platforms, and cell and gene therapies. To date, five pioneering biotech companies from China have joined the vibrant community of Bayer Co.Lab. In addition, Bayer and Puhe BioPharma have entered into a global license agreement for an oral, small molecule PRMT5 inhibitor that selectively targets MTAP-deleted tumors. Under the agreement, Bayer obtains an exclusive worldwide right to develop, manufacture and commercialize the MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitor. Bayer has enrolled the first participant in a Phase I first-in-human dose escalation study.
