Bayer and Tsinghua University Deepen Strategic Alliance to Advance Pharmaceutical Innovation in China
Bayer and Tsinghua University (THU), two powerhouses in global pharmaceutical innovation and academic research, have announced a renewed commitment to their long-standing partnership. Extending their 16-year collaboration for another three years, this renewed alliance is designed to accelerate the translation of basic scientific research into practical applications across the pharmaceutical value chain. The extended agreement will support joint research efforts targeting critical therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular and renal diseases, neurology, rare diseases, and immunology.
This expanded partnership reflects Bayer’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its presence in China—home to the world’s second-largest pharmaceutical market—and underscores its strategic vision to bolster healthcare innovation through cross-sector collaboration. As part of the extended agreement, Bayer will continue to provide funding, technical support, and strategic guidance for joint projects, while also offering resources and recognition to Tsinghua’s scientists who are driving forward life sciences innovation.
A Legacy of Collaborative Excellence
The relationship between Bayer and Tsinghua University began in 2009 as part of a broader effort by Bayer to establish strong academic linkages in Asia’s rapidly advancing research landscape. Over the years, the collaboration has matured into one of the most productive academic-pharma partnerships in China. To date, more than 70 joint research projects have been initiated, and over 10 co-authored publications have appeared in top-tier international academic journals.
One of the signature initiatives launched during the partnership was the Bayer Microfunding Program, introduced in 2022. This program was specifically designed to support early-stage scientific research with high translational potential. In just three years, nine promising research projects have received funding under the program, setting the stage for innovative breakthroughs in drug discovery.
Focusing on High-Impact Therapeutic Areas
The latest extension of the Bayer-THU collaboration continues the trend of focusing on globally relevant and scientifically challenging therapeutic areas. Oncology remains a core priority, reflecting the rising global burden of cancer and the need for more effective, targeted therapies. The renewed focus on cardiovascular and renal diseases is equally important given the growing prevalence of lifestyle-related disorders and chronic conditions worldwide. Meanwhile, research into neurology and rare diseases continues to be an area of unmet need where innovative science can deliver transformative solutions.
By aligning their research priorities, Bayer and Tsinghua are aiming to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial development. The goal is to transform laboratory discoveries into clinically relevant therapies that can reach patients faster and more efficiently.
Strategic Comments from Leadership
The renewed collaboration drew praise from both parties, highlighting the mutual respect and shared mission that have characterized the partnership.
“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. We look forward to this strategic alliance continuing to expand the frontiers of cutting-edge science and translating groundbreaking discoveries into transformative treatments for patients.”
Professor Hongwei Wang, Vice-President of Tsinghua University and Bayer Endowed Chair 2018, added: “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.”
Wang emphasized that the sixth-phase agreement marked a significant milestone and expressed confidence that Tsinghua’s strengths in cross-disciplinary research, talent development, and scientific infrastructure would continue to fuel innovation under this expanded partnership.
A Broader R&D Strategy Anchored in China
Bayer’s strategic collaboration with Tsinghua University is not an isolated effort. Since 2009, Bayer has actively cultivated academic partnerships with major Chinese institutions, including Peking University (since 2014). These partnerships have led to over 100 collaborative research projects covering a broad spectrum of pharmaceutical R&D, from basic target discovery and structural biology to drug screening, mechanism of action studies, and the exploration of new modalities and drug delivery systems.
Such alliances are at the core of Bayer’s R&D strategy, which emphasizes open innovation, scientific exchange, and academic-industry cooperation to bring novel treatments to market. With China’s rapid ascent as a global biotech leader, these relationships offer Bayer a unique vantage point and access to groundbreaking science emerging from top Chinese universities.
Bayer’s Expanding Footprint in China
China has evolved into a critical node in the global pharmaceutical landscape. With deepening healthcare needs, a large patient population, and a growing talent pool, the country has become both a vital market and a dynamic innovation hub. Bayer, which has maintained a presence in China for more than 140 years, is firmly embedded in this ecosystem.
The company currently operates two global research and development (R&D) centers and four world-class production facilities across China. Notably, over 80% of Bayer’s major global multi-center clinical trials now include study sites in China, spanning early-phase development to late-stage pivotal trials. This integration allows Bayer to co-develop medicines that meet local needs while contributing to global therapeutic innovation.
In September 2024, Bayer expanded its innovation commitment by opening a new Bayer Co.Lab site in China. This initiative aims to incubate between 10 and 15 biotech startups that focus on high-potential areas such as oncology, cardiovascular and renal disease, new platform technologies, and advanced therapeutic modalities like cell and gene therapies. Five promising biotech companies have already joined the Co.Lab community, benefiting from Bayer’s expertise, infrastructure, and global networks.
Strategic Partnerships with Chinese Biotech Innovators
Bayer is also partnering directly with China-based biotech companies to strengthen its pipeline and accelerate the development of novel therapeutics. A recent example is Bayer’s global license agreement with Puhe BioPharma, focused on an oral, small molecule PRMT5 inhibitor designed to selectively target MTAP-deleted tumors. This agreement grants Bayer exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitor. The first participant in a Phase I first-in-human trial has already been enrolled, underscoring Bayer’s speed in advancing strategic assets into clinical development.
As Bayer and Tsinghua University embark on the next phase of their collaboration, the strategic importance of academic-industry alliances becomes increasingly clear. By uniting world-class research capabilities with global pharmaceutical development infrastructure, both parties are poised to make meaningful contributions to the advancement of human health.
With continued investment, shared vision, and mutual respect at the core of this alliance, the partnership stands as a model for how multinational pharmaceutical companies and leading academic institutions can collaborate to drive impactful innovation. As China continues to evolve as a leader in global biotech and pharmaceutical R&D, the Bayer-THU alliance is well-positioned to deliver transformative therapies that address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
