Bayer expands collaboration with DKFZ into immunotherapy

German drug major Bayer (BAYN: DE) said revealed this morning that it will extend if already successful strategic alliance in the oncology filed with the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) into the field of immunotherapy. Immunotherapies are a promising approach to treat cancer with the aim to selectively reactivate the body's own immune system so that it attacks tumor cells, the company said.

For the first time, scientists from the DKFZ and Bayer HealthCare will work together in a joint laboratory located at the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg to develop novel immunotherapies. The joint laboratory will accommodate up to 12 staff, and first projects are expected to start in the middle of this year. The partners will invest together up to 3 million euros ($3.9 million) a year under the expanded alliance.

“We are looking forward to interlinking our collaboration with the German Cancer Research Center more closely to develop new treatment options in the field of immunotherapy for patients suffering from cancer,” said Andreas Busch, a member of the executive committee of Bayer HealthCare and head of global drug discovery.