Bayer and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have signed a five-year collaboration agreement to accelerate the development of novel targeted treatments based on patient or tumor characteristics for which current therapies have not shown satisfactory clinical efficacy. Bayer will contribute early stage as well as clinical assets from its development pipeline for further clinical development at MD Anderson Cancer Center. The MD Anderson Cancer Center will bring in its translational and clinical expertise to help accelerate ongoing and future clinical trials.
“Bayer is committed to translating the science of cancer research into new innovative treatment options for patients who are in need”, said Robert LaCaze, Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer AG’s Pharmaceuticals Division and Head of the Oncology Strategic Business Unit at Bayer. “The alliance with MD Anderson will bolster our ongoing and future clinical programs with the overall aim of developing meaningful innovations for patients battling cancer.”
Bayer focuses its oncology research on key areas of investigation, including immuno-oncology, oncogenic signaling, and targeted thorium conjugates, and seeks a precision medicine approach where applicable to develop targeted treatment regimens based on patient or tumor characteristics. As part of the company’s overall innovation strategy, Bayer is expanding discovery and development opportunities through a series of strategic agreements with leading academic centers, other pharmaceutical companies and innovative biotech organizations worldwide. With the collaboration with MD Anderson, Bayer is further strengthening its development activities in oncology, particularly in translational and clinical development.
The MD Anderson Cancer Center ranks as one of the world’s most respected centers focused on research and cancer patient care. MD Anderson’s expertise and knowledge in oncology and clinical research is complementing Bayer’s experience in pharmaceutical development. Bayer’s goal is to significantly broaden the applicability of breakthrough approaches – specifically in cancer indications and tumors where current therapies have not shown clinical efficacy.
“MD Anderson is committed to advancing new therapies that can be offered more quickly to our patients,” said Patrick Hwu, M.D., division head, Cancer Medicine Administration at MD Anderson. “This collaboration allows us to pursue the study of several investigative agents that may have potential for cancers that can be resistant to standard treatments.”
The joint clinical research projects will be conducted at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
