Bayer's BlueRock Therapeutics Expands to Europe with New Berlin Site
Bayer AG has announced the establishment of a new site for BlueRock Therapeutics LP, its wholly-owned subsidiary, on Bayer’s campus in Berlin, Germany. This strategic move aims to expand BlueRock's footprint and enhance Bayer’s cell therapy capabilities. The new site will focus on accelerating the development of cell therapies, with an initial emphasis on the BRT-DA01 clinical trial for Parkinson’s disease.
Stefan Oelrich, Member of the Board of Management at Bayer AG and President of Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division, highlighted the significance of this expansion in advancing global leadership in cell therapies. The co-location of BlueRock and Bayer teams in Berlin is expected to leverage Bayer’s expertise in regulatory affairs, clinical development, and commercialization to support BlueRock’s innovative cell therapies for neurological, immunological, cardiovascular, and ophthalmic diseases.
BlueRock Therapeutics recently completed enrollment for its Phase I clinical trial of BRT-DA01, a novel cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease, and plans to initiate a global non-interventional study in the latter half of 2022. The Phase I trial aims to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of BRT-DA01 transplantation, with secondary objectives focusing on cell survival and motor effects post-transplant.
Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting over 10 million people worldwide, is characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. BRT-DA01 is being evaluated in patients where standard medications are no longer fully effective, offering hope for a new treatment avenue.
This expansion marks a significant milestone in BlueRock’s growth strategy, enabling the company to extend its reach and accelerate the development of transformative cell therapies for patients globally. BlueRock Therapeutics, founded in 2016 and fully acquired by Bayer in 2019, continues to pioneer in the field of engineered cell therapy, aiming to reverse devastating diseases and improve the human condition.