Bayer has extended its ongoing research collaboration with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in the US by five years for the development of new cancer treatments.
Under the expanded deal, the firms intend to jointly identify three new additional investigational drugs (INDs) for new oncology targets.
In addition, the firms will generate related intellectual property and continue to openly share the obtained biological knowledge with the scientific community.
Bayer East Coast Innovation Centre vice-president and head Chandra Ramanathan said: “With Bayer’s commitment to oncology, we are excited to build on our relationship with the Broad Institute to translate discoveries into real benefit for patients.
“Having built a robust portfolio in the first few years, including the identification of multiple drug candidates, we are thrilled to continue our work with the Broad scientists to bring novel cancer treatments to the clinic.”
“With Bayer’s commitment to oncology, we are excited to build on our relationship with the Broad Institute to translate discoveries into real benefit for patients.”
Originally forged in 2013, the collaboration leverages Bayer’s experience on molecules and biologics drug discovery, along with the Broad Institute’s cancer research and chemical biology expertise.
It was further extended in 2015 to include genomics and drug discovery in cardiovascular disease.
The latest extension to 2023 will further see contribution of the institute’s expertise in biomarker development, patient selection and design of clinical trials.
Broad Institute chief scientific officer Todd Golub said: “The successful partnership between Broad and Bayer has already resulted in exciting advances in oncology drug discovery, with several programmes advancing toward the clinic.
“In order to successfully create new therapeutics that reach cancer patients, we must draw simultaneously on the skills of academia and industry.”
