Bayer in Oxford tie-up
pharmafile | July 11, 2014 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | Bayer, Oxford, endometriosis, university
Bayer HealthCare and the UK’s University of Oxford have signed an agreement to look for new treatments for two common gynecological conditions: endometriosis and uterine fibroids.
The initial two-year collaboration may be extended for up to five years, with Bayer taking exclusive licences on targets and potential drug candidates and the university receiving undisclosed milestone and royalty payments.
“This new partnership with one of the world’s leading institutions brings together the drug development expertise at Bayer with the disease and target expert knowledge at the University of Oxford,” says Andreas Busch, Bayer’s head of global drug discovery.
“The collaboration provides us with the opportunity to jointly develop novel treatment options for women suffering from these debilitating diseases,” he adds.
Endometriosis affects an estimated 176 million women – that is, 10% of women of reproductive age – and is caused by the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, leading to ectopic lesions on the ovaries and pelvic peritoneum.
The condition can also affect the bladder, bowel and rectum and is associated with painful periods, chronic pelvic pain and a decrease in fertility.
Uterine fibroids are benign tumours which originate from the wall of the uterus and are typically found during the middle and late reproductive years: around 5-10% of premenopausal women experience symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding and pressure of the bladder and rectum.
Bayer and the university will share responsibilities on basic research and early clinical trials in these two diseases, with joint projects carried out in Oxford and at Bayer’s R&D centre in Berlin.
“This collaboration draws on the particular skill sets of each partner in the development of innovative new therapies that could benefit millions of women around the world, and shows Oxford’s commitment to work jointly with industry to develop novel medicines,” concludes the university’s vice chancellor Andrew Hamilton.
Adam Hill
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