• Epigenic TheMKS sportsrapeutics, Immunocan Biotech, and AccurEdit Therapeutics join Bayer Co.Lab to accelerate breakthrough innovations in cell and gene therapy (CGT)

• Bayer will leverage its global innovation and collaboration network, along with its expertise in CGT, to foster the growth of local biotech start-ups 

Bayer announced on December 10 that it had entered into agreements with Epigenic Therapeutics (Shanghai) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. ("Epigenic"), Shanghai Immunocan Biotech Co., Ltd. ("Immunocan") and AccurEdit Therapeutics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. ("AccurEdit"). The three biotech companies will join Bayer Co.Lab in China as resident companies, harnessing Bayer's extensive innovation and collaboration network to access worldwide resources and expertise to accelerate breakthrough innovations in cell and gene therapy (CGT).

Epigenic, Immunocan have officially moved into Bayer Co.Lab, and AccurEdit Therapeutics will join early next month. Photo: Courtesy of Bayer Co.Lab

Epigenic, Immunocan have officially moved into Bayer Co.Lab, and AccurEdit Therapeutics will join early next month. Photo: Courtesy of Bayer Co.Lab

"We are thrilled to welcome three new resident companies to our vibrant Bayer Co.Lab community," said Friedemann Janus, PhD, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Bayer Co.Lab, Regional Business Development & Licensing and Divestitures at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. "Our newly inaugurated site in China is quickly becoming a cornerstone for collaboration within the country's innovation ecosystem. Our global life science incubator network, Bayer Co.Lab, is committed to providing customized support that will nurture the growth and success of local biotech startups, especially as we observe an exciting wave of innovations in China."

Bob Zhang, CEO and Co-founder of Epigenic Therapeutics said, "We are honored and excited to join Bayer Co. Lab, a leading innovation hub that aligns perfectly with our mission to revolutionize drug development through epigenetic modulation technology. This partnership provides us with a unique opportunity to collaborate with one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, enabling us to accelerate Epigenic's groundbreaking technology and pipeline development by leveraging Bayer's resources, expertise, and network. We look forward to bringing novel treatment solutions to patients with chronic diseases globally."

Founded in 2021, Epigenic Therapeutics is focused on utilizing the regulation of epigenetic genome for treating a variety of diseases. Its EPIREG® proprietary technology platform employs its own artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to explore and obtain innovative CRISPR-Cas components to regulate target gene(s) expression without changing the DNA sequence. Combining a patented lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system, its platform has been proven to precisely and efficiently deliver medicine to targeted cells and tissues in metabolic, cardiovascular, viral hepatitis, ophthalmology, oncology and rare disease models. 

Dr Jiwei Zhang, Co-founder and CEO of Immunocan, said: "We are thrilled to join Bayer Co.Lab and embark on a new chapter in global innovation collaboration. Over the past four years, we have successfully established mega-base-scale gene-editing technology and developed multiple antibody discovery models in Shanghai, earning the trust and recognition of numerous partners. By joining Bayer Co.Lab today, we believe the scientific collaboration and operational empowerment enabled by Bayer's global life science co-creation platform will help Immunocan continuously accelerate innovation, expand technological partnerships, and realize our vision of self-growth and driving industry innovation within the global innovation network. "

Immunocan was founded in 2020 and specializes in using gene editing technology to replace immunoglobulin variable region genes in various animals, resulting in genetically engineered animals capable of producing fully human antibodies and other innovative modalities. The company is committed to offering cutting-edge antibody discovery platforms to worldwide drug research partners, with the goal of developing safer and more effective treatments for human diseases. 

Dr Wang Yongzhong, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AccurEdit, said, "We are honored to join Bayer Co. Lab Shanghai, which allows us access to Bayer's global R&D organization and collaboration network. Non-cell/virus based in vivo gene editing is one of the most innovative and revolutionary therapeutic fields. We look forward to collaborating with Bayer to further advance breakthrough technologies and explore new possibilities in gene editing therapies for the benefit of patients worldwide."

Founded in 2021, AccurEdit is dedicated to developing and commercializing safe, effective, and target-specific in vivo gene editing therapies, along with delivery technologies, for the treatment of severe or life-threatening genetic and acquired diseases worldwide. Granted IND-clearance by both NMPA and U.S. FDA, AccurEdit has become the first and only company in the world to obtain regulatory approval to initiate clinical trials of LNP based in vivo gene editing products in China and in the US. The company has established an industry-leading end-to-end technology platform for in vivo gene editing therapies, including RNA synthesis, editing, and delivery technologies. ART001 (ATTR) and ART002 (PCSK9), its first two leading assets, have entered human clinical trials and both demonstrate the potential to be the best-in-class therapies in their respective fields. 

Bayer Co.Lab is located on the Shanghai Innovation (SH-INNO) campus. Photo: Courtesy of Bayer Co.Lab

Bayer Co.Lab inaugurated its new site in China this September as part of its global network of life sciences incubators. Bayer Co.Lab not only provides resident companies the state-of-the-art infrastructure and lab space but also grants access to Bayer's global R&D network and expertise, helping biotech startups connect with resources in the global pharmaceutical industry. In China, Bayer Co.Lab aims to empower local biotech startups with a focus on cutting-edge innovations in the areas of CGT, oncology and new technology platforms. Following the inauguration of its new site in Berlin this November, Bayer Co.Lab has expanded to global innovation hubs, including United States, Japan, China, and Germany, dedicated to supporting local startups in accelerating their innovations.

About Bayer

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, "Health for all, hunger for none," the company's products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2023, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 47.6 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items totaled 5.8 billion euros. For more information, please visit www.bayer.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

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