Bayer Co.Lab Shanghai opens as part of global expansion of life science incubator network

Bayer announced the inauguration of its new life science incubator, Bayer Co.Lab Shanghai, in the Shanghai Innovation (SH-INNO) Park at the heart of China´s largest biopharma cluster, Zhangjiang, Shanghai. Bayer Co.Lab is part of the global network of life science incubators situated in key innovation hubs, including Cambridge (USA), Kobe (Japan), and Berlin (Germany). The establishment of Bayer Co.Lab Shanghai represents a major milestone in Bayer’s external innovation strategy, aimed at fostering open collaboration within the biotechnology ecosystem. The incubator will provide state-of-the art laboratories, collaborative working space and tailored support for start-ups, serving as a crucial pillar in advancing local innovation across the entire biopharmaceutical value chain.

“Shanghai is a nexus of universities, start-ups, incubators, and investors, supported by a booming innovation ecosystem,” said Juergen Eckhardt, MD, Head of Business Development & Licensing at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. “The city draws strength from a deep talent pool and a strong entrepreneurial culture, enhancing its capacity for innovation. With Bayer Co.Lab Shanghai, we provide access to Bayer’s expertise in cell and gene therapy and oncology, and connect start-ups to our international innovation and partner networks in a nurturing ecosystem to grow and thrive.”

China is home to the world’s second largest pharmaceutical market, and its innovation capabilities are among the world’s top two. The country’s pharmaceutical research and industrial development has entered a new phase of innovation and is playing an increasingly important role in the global pharmaceutical value chain.

With more than 140 years of presence in China, Bayer continues to expand its innovation footprint. To date, Bayer has established two global research & development (R&D) centers and four world-class production facilities in China. Furthermore, China is included  in more than 80% of Bayer’s major multi-center clinical trials, covering both early and late-stage clinical development. Bayer is also collaborating with leading academic institutions, such as Tsinghua University and Peking University, to accelerate the translation of early research into new drug development, further enhancing China’s pharmaceutical R&D capabilities. These collaborations have resulted in more than 100 joint research projects, making Bayer a model for collaborative innovation in China’s pharmaceutical sector.

The launch of Bayer Co.Lab Shanghai underscores Bayer’s continued commitment to investing in innovation in China and reinforces its determination to grow in this key market. Through Bayer Co.Lab, Bayer will deepen local partnerships and accelerate co-creation in China to drive healthcare innovation in China and globally.

In November 2024, Bayer Co.Lab Berlin will open on the company’s global Pharmaceuticals divisional headquarters, which will serve as a hub for breakthrough discoveries, with a particular focus on cell and gene therapies and modality platforms.