Whippany-based Bayer recently announced that it has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to co-fund pre-clinical research activities with the goal of providing women globally with an option for non-hormonal contraception.
As part of the grant, Bayer and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have each committed more than $12 million over four years.
In addition to research co-funding, Bayer will leverage its experience in women’s health care as well as research and development expertise in order to identify a pre-clinical development candidate. Bayer has also committed to make such a product available in low- and lower-middle-income countries at an affordable price once it would have been approved by health authorities.
“The collaboration brings together Bayer’s research expertise, with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s purpose, to help reduce inequalities around the world by facilitating access to health in low- and lower-middle-income countries,” Marianne De Backer, executive vice president, head of strategy, Business Development & Licensing/Open Innovation and Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer’s Pharmaceutical Division said. “Together, we aim to further advance our vision to provide non-hormonal contraceptive options to millions of girls and women around the globe in a sustainable manner.”
“Sustainability is an integral part of our business,” Jeanne Kehren, senior vice president Digital & Commercial Innovation, Chief Information Officer, as well as responsible for Sustainability and a Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer’s Pharmaceutical Division said. “With our strong heritage and deeply rooted expertise in women’s healthcare, Bayer has been supporting initiatives that contribute to providing women in low- and lower-middle-income countries with access to family planning for more than 50 years. We are proud to work together with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and join efforts to expand access to contraceptive options that help address the unmet needs of women worldwide.”
This new partnership adds to Bayer’s commitment focusing on providing scientific and sustainable solutions to support the individual health needs of women worldwide and to help provide women and girls in low- and lower-middle-income countries with access to modern contraception. It’s the second joint activity involving both parties in family planning, along with the collaboration on The Challenge Initiative.
