Research and development at Bayer HealthCare
Pharmaceutical drug discovery research at Bayer Health Care Pharmaceuticals is con-centrated on four areas: Cardiology & Hematology, Oncology, Diagnostic Imaging and Women’s Healthcare. It includes identifying and optimizing low-molecular-weight sub-stances and developing new biologics. Bayer HealthCare's Pharmaceuticals Division researches and develops innovative active ingredients for the treatment of diseases where there is a high level of medical need. It also further develops products that have already been granted regulatory approval. One example of an innovative active ingredient is the anticoagulant rivaroxaban (trade name: Xarelto), which has already been granted regulatory approval for the prevention of thrombosis after elective knee or hip replacement surgery, is marketed in 75 countries and is currently undergoing development in other indications. This thrombosis medication can be taken as a tablet once daily and is therefore a real innovation. One of the many other innovative substances in the pipeline is riociguat, an active ingredient for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension which would be the first drug from a new class of vasodilatative substances. Another focus of Bayer’s Cardiology research is heart failure.
Despite major advances in the fight against cancer, the medical need for therapies which prolong survival and improve quality of life is still great. Our development pipeline in Oncology comprises various antibodies and low-molecular-weight substances. In addition to the active ingredient sorafenib (trade name: Nexavar), these include regorafenib, a development substance with a profile for inhibiting various enzymes stimulating tumor growth and angiogenesis, and Alpharadin, a novel alpha-pharmaceutical agent currently under investigation, for example in a Phase III study for prostate cancer. VEGF Trap-Eye could make an important contribution in the treatment of serious eye diseases. This active ingredient has demonstrated very promising results in two Phase III clinical studies in the treatment of wet, age-related macular degeneration and, as the next step, is seeking regulatory approval in Europe. The research activities in the field of Diagnostic Imaging are focused on the development of substances (known as tracers) for molecular imaging, and for use in positron emission tomography (PET), which could support earlier and more precise diagnosis of cancer or dementia in the future. Bayer HealthCare's Pharmaceuticals Division is also carrying out research and development in the field of women’s healthcare, to offer a wide spectrum of contraceptive options. This ranges from the clinical testing of a contraceptive patch through to oral contraceptives which are intended for authorization in additional indications besides contraception. A new class of oral contraceptives with an estrogen component based on estradiol – the estrogen which is also produced naturally by the female body – was granted regulatory approval in the EU in 2009. Gynecological therapies are another R&D focus of Women’s Healthcare. The company launched Visanne, a new treatment option for endometriosis, in Europe in the second quarter of 2010. Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease in which endometrial-like tissue appears and flourishes in areas outside the uterine cavity, which leads to chronic inflammatory reactions.
The Medical Care Division conducts proprietary R&D into next-generation advances in diabetes monitoring, radiology and interventional cardiology, improving the current portfolio of marketed products as well as entering into strategic alliances with other companies to share technology and expertise. The current R&D focus in the field of blood glucose monitoring includes ease-of-use, meter accuracy, and e-health initiatives to simplify data capture and analysis. In the field of medical devices, the division is focused on developing alternative fluid delivery mechanisms, vascular intervention systems for treating constricted or blocked blood vessels (such as Cotavance, a drug-coated balloon catheter), customer workflow efficiencies and patient-specific contrast ad- ministration, as well as molecular imaging and healthcare informatics.
The acquisition of the Bomac Group with its headquarters in Auckland, New Zealand, has strengthened the Animal Health Division’s research activities in the livestock sector. Auckland will join Monheim (Germany) and Shawnee (Kansas, USA) as a new, regional development center. The growing demand for animal protein necessitates innovative solutions for food-producing animals. Another important research area is the treatment of age-related diseases in companion animals. Further efforts are devoted to developing new formulations and user-friendly applications for established active ingredients.
The Consumer Care Division is concentrating its research and development activities on developing existing brands through expanded indications and optimized delivery forms. In addition, Consumer Care actively seeks opportunities to switch prescription pharmaceuticals that could be marketed as over-the-counter products.
Despite major advances in the fight against cancer, the medical need for therapies which prolong survival and improve quality of life is still great. Our development pipeline in Oncology comprises various antibodies and low-molecular-weight substances. In addition to the active ingredient sorafenib (trade name: Nexavar), these include regorafenib, a development substance with a profile for inhibiting various enzymes stimulating tumor growth and angiogenesis, and Alpharadin, a novel alpha-pharmaceutical agent currently under investigation, for example in a Phase III study for prostate cancer. VEGF Trap-Eye could make an important contribution in the treatment of serious eye diseases. This active ingredient has demonstrated very promising results in two Phase III clinical studies in the treatment of wet, age-related macular degeneration and, as the next step, is seeking regulatory approval in Europe. The research activities in the field of Diagnostic Imaging are focused on the development of substances (known as tracers) for molecular imaging, and for use in positron emission tomography (PET), which could support earlier and more precise diagnosis of cancer or dementia in the future. Bayer HealthCare's Pharmaceuticals Division is also carrying out research and development in the field of women’s healthcare, to offer a wide spectrum of contraceptive options. This ranges from the clinical testing of a contraceptive patch through to oral contraceptives which are intended for authorization in additional indications besides contraception. A new class of oral contraceptives with an estrogen component based on estradiol – the estrogen which is also produced naturally by the female body – was granted regulatory approval in the EU in 2009. Gynecological therapies are another R&D focus of Women’s Healthcare. The company launched Visanne, a new treatment option for endometriosis, in Europe in the second quarter of 2010. Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease in which endometrial-like tissue appears and flourishes in areas outside the uterine cavity, which leads to chronic inflammatory reactions.
The Medical Care Division conducts proprietary R&D into next-generation advances in diabetes monitoring, radiology and interventional cardiology, improving the current portfolio of marketed products as well as entering into strategic alliances with other companies to share technology and expertise. The current R&D focus in the field of blood glucose monitoring includes ease-of-use, meter accuracy, and e-health initiatives to simplify data capture and analysis. In the field of medical devices, the division is focused on developing alternative fluid delivery mechanisms, vascular intervention systems for treating constricted or blocked blood vessels (such as Cotavance, a drug-coated balloon catheter), customer workflow efficiencies and patient-specific contrast ad- ministration, as well as molecular imaging and healthcare informatics.
The acquisition of the Bomac Group with its headquarters in Auckland, New Zealand, has strengthened the Animal Health Division’s research activities in the livestock sector. Auckland will join Monheim (Germany) and Shawnee (Kansas, USA) as a new, regional development center. The growing demand for animal protein necessitates innovative solutions for food-producing animals. Another important research area is the treatment of age-related diseases in companion animals. Further efforts are devoted to developing new formulations and user-friendly applications for established active ingredients.
The Consumer Care Division is concentrating its research and development activities on developing existing brands through expanded indications and optimized delivery forms. In addition, Consumer Care actively seeks opportunities to switch prescription pharmaceuticals that could be marketed as over-the-counter products.
Here, you will find information about the work of the specific divisions.
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