Bayer Health Care (Bayer) and the University of Oxford, UK, have entered into a strategic research alliance in the area of gynecological therapies. The multi-target collaboration focuses on endometriosis and uterine fibroids with the goal of discovering and developing innovative treatment options for these diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, both parties will contribute innovative drug targets and high quality technology infrastructures. Furthermore, Bayer and the University of Oxford will share responsibilities from basic research to early clinical trials in these two diseases. Joint research projects will be performed at the University of Oxford and at the Bayer HealthCare R&D Center in Berlin, Germany.

The collaboration will be for an initial period of two years but is open for extension for up to five years. Bayer is eligible to license both targets and potential drug candidates exclusively and will then be responsible for any subsequent clinical development and commercialization. The University of Oxford will receive undisclosed milestone and royalty payments depending on the successful development and approval of potential drug candidates.

Source: Bayer Healthcare