A product pipeline represents the structured progression of new innovations within a large life sciences company, moving from early research and development through various testing phases to eventual market introduction. It encompasses all projects undergoing scientific investigation and clinical or field trials. Maintaining a robust pipeline is fundamental for sustained growth, allowing a company to address evolving needs and introduce novel solutions to the market.
Pharmaceutical Development Focus
The pharmaceutical pipeline at Bayer targets several significant therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular diseases, neurology, rare diseases, and immunology. This focus addresses conditions with unmet medical needs, aiming for patient improvements. The company’s clinical development portfolio features over 34 projects, regularly reviewed to prioritize promising programs.
In cardiology, asundexian, a Factor XIa inhibitor, is in Phase III development for secondary stroke prevention, representing a new approach to anticoagulation. Nubeqa (darolutamide), an androgen receptor inhibitor, is an oncology product that has achieved blockbuster status, with regulatory filings underway for additional prostate cancer indications. Kerendia (finerenone), an oral mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, is approved for chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes and is being investigated for heart failure.
Newer candidates include elinzanetant, which met its Phase III endpoints for treating moderate to severe hot flashes. Bemdaneprocel, a stem cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease, has advanced directly to Phase III clinical development after promising early data. Bayer is also exploring innovative technology platforms, such as cell and gene therapies, as well as targeted radionuclide therapies for oncology.
Innovations in Crop Science
Bayer’s crop science pipeline drives advancements across agricultural protection and plant genetics, enhancing productivity and sustainability for farmers. New crop protection products are in development, including next-generation herbicides like icafolin, which is expected to be the first new post-emergent herbicide mode of action in decades upon its anticipated launch around 2028. The company also works on fungicides and insecticides to combat evolving pest and disease challenges.
Progress in seeds and traits includes the Preceon Smart Corn System, a reduced-stature corn designed for improved standability and field access, with a biotech version in Phase 4. Fourth-generation corn rootworm technology, incorporating RNA interference (RNAi), provides advanced protection against this damaging pest. Additionally, fourth- and fifth-generation soybean herbicide tolerance traits, such as HT4, are being developed to offer broader weed control options with tolerance to multiple active ingredients.
The digital farming platform, FieldView, supports these agricultural innovations by providing farmers with data-driven insights. This platform helps analyze yield performance, optimize input usage through variable rate seeding and fertility prescriptions, and customized crop protection plans. FieldView allows farmers to collect, store, and visualize field data, aiding informed operational decisions and maximizing efficiency.
The Journey from Lab to Market
The journey from a scientific discovery in the laboratory to a product available on the market is a rigorous and lengthy process, typically spanning 12 to 15 years and costing over one billion euros for a new drug. This multi-stage pathway begins with preclinical research, involving laboratory and animal studies to assess a compound’s safety and biological activity. If these initial studies show promise, an investigational new drug application is submitted to regulatory authorities.
Clinical development then proceeds through distinct phases of human testing. Phase I trials involve a small group of healthy volunteers to evaluate safety and dosage range. Phase II studies expand to hundreds of patients to assess efficacy and monitor for side effects. Phase III trials involve hundreds to thousands of patients to confirm efficacy, gather safety data, and compare the new product to existing treatments.
Following successful Phase III results, comprehensive data is submitted to regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for approval. This submission marks the final step before a product can be manufactured and marketed. Only about one in four drugs that enter human testing ultimately receive regulatory approval.
Strategic Investments and Acquisitions
Beyond internal research and development, Bayer strategically expands its product pipeline through external investments and acquisitions of smaller biotech or research firms. This approach allows access to promising new technologies and drug candidates that complement existing focus areas. These transactions target innovative platforms that can accelerate discoveries and broaden therapeutic reach.
A significant investment was the acquisition of Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio) in 2020 for approximately $2 billion, which substantially bolstered Bayer’s gene therapy capabilities. This integrated AskBio’s gene therapy platform, focusing on adeno-associated virus (AAV) based therapies, into Bayer’s pharmaceutical division. Similarly, the acquisition of Vividion Therapeutics in 2021 for an upfront payment of $1.5 billion, with potential for an additional $500 million in milestone payments, enhanced Bayer’s small molecule drug discovery efforts.
Vividion’s proprietary chemoproteomic screening technology allows for the identification of previously “undruggable” protein targets, opening new avenues for drug development, particularly in cancer and immune disorders. Bayer also acquired BlueRock Therapeutics in 2019, a company focused on developing induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell therapies, further diversifying its therapeutic modalities. These acquisitions allow the acquired companies to operate with independence, preserving their innovative culture while benefiting from the resources of a larger organization.