Thursday, June 30, 2022
Bayer AG has recently unveiled its latest Research and Innovation Center located at Kendall Square in Boston-Cambridge, Massachusetts (U.S.A.). This move marks Bayer's expansion into one of the world's most pioneering hubs for pharmaceutical research and development. The state-of-the-art facility, spanning an impressive 62,100 square feet, represents a substantial investment of $140 million USD in the area. It serves as a dedicated center for precision molecular oncology research, equipped with advanced laboratories and offices aimed at developing innovative targeted cancer therapies for patients. Moreover, the center houses a newly established research team focused on leveraging chemical biology techniques to advance Bayer's oncology drug development process.
Stefan Oelrich, Member of the Board of Management at Bayer AG and President of Bayer's Pharmaceuticals Division, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Our new Bayer research and innovation center at Kendall Square is part of our strategy to be at the forefront of scientific discovery and breakthrough innovation for better patient healthcare. Being part of this unique innovation ecosystem will support our teams in creating breakthrough innovations for patients together with the experts here."
Sebastian Guth, Ph.D., President of Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Americas Region, highlighted the company's growth in the United States across research, development, and commercial operations. The establishment of the precision molecular oncology research center at Kendall Square signifies Bayer's strong commitment to expanding its oncology presence in the country. It builds upon existing collaborations in Boston, particularly in the cardiovascular field, where joint laboratories with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard focus on precision cardiology.
The new center, spanning two floors, currently accommodates 100 employees, with plans to fill an additional 50 positions in the coming months. Its design aims to foster collaboration among Bayer's research and development teams, as well as its internal partners like BlueRock Therapeutics, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio), and Vividion Therapeutics. The goal is to accelerate the development of transformative treatments for patients. Alongside the Kendall Square facility, Bayer has established strategic research collaborations with top scientific partners in Boston, including joint laboratories at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital for lung disease, and with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard for precision cardiology.
The Research and Innovation Center reflects Bayer's strategic investment in oncology innovation, aiming to revolutionize healthcare for individuals worldwide affected by cancer while ensuring sustainable long-term growth for the company. As part of its vision to become a top 10 oncology company by 2030, Bayer has allocated a significant portion of its global research and development budget to oncology. The new precision molecular oncology research center will drive the development of targeted next-generation cancer therapies, including efforts to enable cancer patients to benefit from molecular tests and targeted treatments through biomarker testing.
Bayer has a remarkable 160-year history of delivering scientific innovation in areas of high medical need and has consistently embraced external innovation and partnerships. Since 2020, the company has secured over 40 transactions in business development and licensing and has invested $1.2 billion USD in innovative healthcare companies through Leaps by Bayer. The newly opened center is expected to play a crucial role in future partnering investments and collaborations.
By establishing its presence in Kendall Square, Bayer expands its operations in the world's leading life sciences cluster. Boston-Cambridge is home to approximately 1,000 biotechnology companies, with Kendall Square serving as the epicenter of pharmaceutical innovation on the East Coast of the United States. With its presence in four major biotechnology hubs in the country—Boston, San Francisco, San Diego, and Research Triangle Park, NC—Bayer solidifies its position at the forefront of the industry.
