Bayer and Tsinghua University announced on June 24, 2025, that they have extended their research collaboration by an additional three years, marking a significant milestone in their 16-year strategic partnership. The extension underscores Bayer's continued commitment to investing in healthcare innovation in China and reinforces its growth strategy in the world's second-largest pharmaceutical market.
Strategic Focus on Key Therapeutic Areas
The extended agreement will concentrate on joint research projects targeting critical therapeutic areas including oncology, cardiovascular and renal diseases, neurology, rare diseases, and immunology. Under the partnership, Bayer will continue providing funding and support for joint research projects and scientists at Tsinghua University, recognizing their research excellence in life sciences and pharmaceutical innovation.
"The innovation ecosystem in China is rapidly evolving, marked with remarkable advancements in scientific and medical research," said Christian Rommel, Global Head of Research and Development at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. "This progress is driven by the dedicated efforts and strong collaborations among innovators of science and business. We are proud that our partnership with Tsinghua University has set a benchmark for scientific research collaboration between multinational pharmaceutical companies and high profile academic institutions in China."
Proven Track Record of Scientific Collaboration
Since its establishment in 2009, the strategic academic partnership has generated substantial scientific output, resulting in over 70 joint research projects and more than 10 publications in top international academic journals. In 2022, the partners launched the Bayer Microfunding program to enhance the translation of early scientific research, with nine projects receiving funding support over the past three years.
Hongwei Wang, Professor of School of Life Sciences and Vice-President of Tsinghua University, emphasized the partnership's significance: "Over the past sixteen years, Tsinghua University and Bayer have forged a trusted and synergistic partnership that has continuously advanced the integration of scientific discovery and pharmaceutical innovation. This collaboration has supported cutting-edge research targeting major global health challenges and has become a model for end-to-end cooperation between Chinese universities and international pharmaceutical companies."
Broader Academic Network in China
Academic collaborations form an integral part of Bayer's research and development strategy for delivering innovative treatment solutions to patients. Beyond Tsinghua University, Bayer established a strategic collaboration with Peking University in 2014. Together, these partnerships with China's two leading academic institutions have produced more than 100 research collaboration projects, encompassing discovery and structural analysis of novel targets, pathogenesis and drug mechanism of action research, drug screening, efficacy evaluation, and exploration of new modalities, synthetic methods, and innovative formulations.
Expanding Innovation Footprint in China
With more than 140 years of presence in China, Bayer continues to expand its innovation footprint in the country. The company has established two global research and development centers and four world-class production facilities in China. Notably, more than 80% of Bayer's major multi-center clinical trials are conducted in China, covering both early and late-stage clinical development.
As China has emerged as a vital hub for global biotech innovation, Bayer is actively engaging with the local innovation ecosystem. In September 2024, Bayer Co.Lab inaugurated its new site in China, aiming to incubate 10 to 15 resident startups focusing on cutting-edge innovations in oncology, cardiovascular and renal diseases, new technology platforms, and cell and gene therapies. To date, five pioneering biotech companies from China have joined the Bayer Co.Lab community.
Recent Strategic Partnerships
The company's commitment to Chinese innovation is further demonstrated through its recent licensing agreement with Puhe BioPharma for an oral, small molecule PRMT5 inhibitor that selectively targets MTAP-deleted tumors. Under this global license agreement, Bayer obtained exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitor. The company has already enrolled the first participant in a Phase I first-in-human dose escalation study.
China's pharmaceutical research and industrial development has entered a new phase of innovation, with the country's innovation capabilities ranking among the world's top two. This positioning makes China an increasingly important player in the global pharmaceutical value chain, supporting Bayer's strategic focus on the market.
Financial details of the collaboration agreement extension have not been disclosed.
