What can you tell us about Bayer's focus within the pharmaceutical sector, especially in the United States?
I'm Sebastian Guth, Chief Operating Officer for Bayer Pharmaceuticals and President of Bayer U.S. and a member of the company’s Global Executive Committee. Bayer is a leading research and development-based pharmaceutical company. Our main focus areas include oncology, cardiovascular and cardio-renal diseases, women's healthcare, a variety of rare diseases, radiology, and notably, we are emerging as a leader in cell and gene therapies.
With the FDA approving significantly more cell and gene therapies in the past year, what role does Bayer play in advancing these therapies, and how do you see this innovation transforming patient care?
Indeed, the advancement in cell and gene therapies is pivotal. We've seen a significant increase in FDA approvals in this area, which underscores the importance and potential of these therapies. Bayer has actively participated in this evolution by investing €3.5 billion in building our cell and gene therapy platform. We've made strategic acquisitions and partnerships, such as Ask Bio for gene therapies and Blue Rock Therapeutics for cell therapies, to strengthen our position. Notably, in diseases like Parkinson's, we're making considerable progress with both cell and gene therapy programs. This not only demonstrates our commitment to advancing medical science but also brings us closer to providing real hope and transformative treatments to patients with severe conditions.
Given the rapid pace of technological advancements in life sciences, what do you consider the main challenges and opportunities for Bayer?
The acceleration of technology in life sciences presents both challenges and opportunities.
For Bayer, technology is not just about innovation for its own sake but about how it can be leveraged to make a real impact on patient care.
If you take oncology, for example, the majority of cancer driver proteins are well-known. Yet, 90% of disease-causing proteins can’t be addressed because technology can’t recognize binding sites on these proteins. We’re unlocking undruggable targets to generate first-in-class novel drug candidates to benefit patients. No one in the world has been able to drug disease-causing proteins like we are doing with Vividion Therapeutics. Thus, while adapting to rapid technological changes is a challenge, it's also an incredible opportunity to speed up the discovery and development of life-saving treatments.
How is Bayer addressing disparities in healthcare access and what initiatives are in place to support underinsured or uninsured patients?
Addressing healthcare disparities is a key focus for us, particularly in ensuring that our therapies are accessible to those who need them, regardless of their socioeconomic status. In 2023, we provided products worth $963 million to over 23,000 under or uninsured patients in the United States through our Patient Assistance Program. We emphasize inclusive clinical development and partnerships with organizations embedded in underserved communities. We’re working closely with organizations like the National Kidney Foundation and the American Society of Nephrology to advocate for open access to FDA-approved and guideline-directed and evidence-based therapies for chronic kidney disease. Our efforts are aimed at bridging the gap in healthcare access, with particular attention to disparities related to wealth, race, and geographical location.
Could you elaborate on the significance of women's health in Bayer's portfolio and how the company is contributing to its advancement?
Women's health is a prime example of a therapeutic area experiencing a re-emergence of focus and innovation. Bayer has a long-standing commitment to women's health, dating back to 1966 when we launched the first oral contraceptive. We're continuing this tradition in menopause management,preparing to launch elinzanetant, a non-hormonal treatment of vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause that is in Phase III development as a non-hormonal compound for vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. We are working to address a significant unmet medical need among women. 1.2B women worldwide will be in menopause by 2030, and many are now being treated with hormone therapy or anti-depressants or not at all, which is unacceptable.
Our goal is to bring forward therapies that significantly improve the quality of life for women worldwide, demonstrating our dedication to addressing neglected areas of health.
Looking towards the future, how do you envision Bayer's role and mission evolving, particularly in terms of patient impact and healthcare equity?
Our vision for Bayer is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the patients we serve. This encompasses not only advancing therapies in newer fields of science like cell and gene therapy and women's health but also ensuring that our innovations are accessible to underserved populations. We believe that science and technology will enable us to achieve these goals more efficiently. Ultimately, our mission revolves around improving patient outcomes and addressing healthcare disparities, ensuring that everyone has access to the treatments they need.
