Bayer and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have extended their research collaboration an additional five years to develop and advance innovative cancer treatments. The expanded agreement will focus on joint cancer target identification and discovery of new therapeutic approaches in oncology.

Established in 2013, the collaboration combines the Broad Institute’s expertise in cancer research and chemical biology with Bayer’s in-depth experience in small, chemically manufactured molecules and biologics drug discovery to advance drug discovery research for novel cancer treatments. Both parties will continue their work on identifying additional investigational drugs for new oncology targets and treatment options.

Derived from this strategic research alliance, Bayer’s mutant EGFR/HER2 inhibitor, currently in Phase I of clinical trials, is the first reversible small molecule inhibitor targeting EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations and HER2 activating mutations in clinical testing. 

“We are constantly working to discover novel ways to treat this devastating disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Our joint goal is to bring innovation to cancer patients by building a robust, sustainable pipeline in oncology,” said Dominik Ruettinger, global head of research and early development for oncology, pharmaceuticals division, Bayer AG. “Bayer’s established collaboration with the Broad Institute has already resulted in three clinical oncology candidates. We look forward to continuing our work with renowned Broad scientists to advance additional innovative cancer targets into clinical development.”

William Sellers, core member of the Broad Institute and director of the cancer program said, “In order to make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients, academia and industry need to partner and draw on each other’s expertise. Through this alliance, Broad and Bayer have done just that. Combining Broad’s expertise in cancer biology and state-of-the-art drug discovery methods with Bayer’s expertise in drug development greatly increases our power to bring transformative medicines to cancer patients.”