DETROIT — Bayer and Henry Ford Health announced a strategic research partnership aimed at expanding patient access to clinical trials and accelerating the development of new treatments.
The collaboration combines Bayer’s global drug-development capabilities with Henry Ford Health’s clinical research program and community-based healthcare network.
Henry Ford Health is one of four U.S. academic health systems selected to participate in Bayer’s strategic research network.
“Clinical trials are often the first opportunity patients have to access cutting-edge treatments,” said David Lanfear, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer for Henry Ford Health. “Through this collaboration, we aim to make clinical research more accessible, reduce barriers to participation, accelerate the development of new treatments and ensure that more patients have the opportunity to benefit from medical innovation.”
Initial research efforts will focus on cardiovascular and renal diseases, including thrombosis, heart failure, stroke and chronic kidney disease; oncology, including advanced cancers and targeted therapies; and women’s health, including treatments for menopausal symptoms and gynecologic conditions.
The organizations plan to collaborate across the clinical trial process and use data and technology to improve study design, identify eligible patients and reduce barriers to participation.
“Bayer is consistently exploring new avenues that can help more patients with diseases or health conditions that impact millions of people across the world,” said Christoph Koenen, Head, Clinical Development & Operations for Bayer. “We share this commitment to patients and advancing drug discovery with likeminded institutions like Henry Ford Health that can help reduce barriers to accessing investigational or potential new treatments right in the very communities where patients are already receiving their care.”
Beyond clinical trials, Bayer and Henry Ford Health plan to use artificial intelligence, analytics and electronic health record data to improve trial design and patient identification.
The partnership will also focus on generating real-world evidence about treatment performance and supporting training and innovation in healthcare data science.
The organizations said additional areas of medical research could be added over time.
Henry Ford Health was selected for the network based on its clinical expertise, integrated care system, diverse patient population and experience conducting clinical research.
Bayer previously announced a strategic alliance with the University of Colorado Anschutz, UCHealth and Children’s Hospital Colorado to support drug development and clinical trials.
“This partnership builds on Henry Ford Health’s longstanding leadership in clinical research and creates new opportunities to bring innovative studies to our patients,” Lanfear said. “By combining our expertise with Bayer’s global research capabilities, we can help advance treatments in areas that matter most while ensuring research reflects the needs of the diverse communities we serve.”
