Bayer and MassBio Launch Joint Mentorship Program to Support Chinese Biopharma Startups

Beijing, June 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer announced today its partnership with MassBio^®(MassBio) jointly launched the “Bayer-MassCONNECT Asia” joint mentorship program, aimed at cultivating pharmaceutical startups in the Asian region, particularly in China. The program will provide professional mentoring to early-stage entrepreneurs and researchers in the local life sciences sector, connecting them with top-tier global biopharmaceutical experts and knowledge resources concentrated in Massachusetts. Bayer-MassCONNECT Asia will focus on accelerating the development of therapies to address unmet medical needs, ultimately benefiting patients.

Jiang Wei, Global Executive Vice President of Bayer AG’s Pharmaceuticals Division and President of China and Asia-Pacific, as well as President of Greater China at Bayer AG, stated: “As a global pharmaceutical company, Bayer is committed to accelerating innovation and development through its worldwide partner network. Our collaboration with MassBio represents a significant initiative in the realm of open innovation. Bayer believes that startups in Asia, particularly in China, will become a vital force in drug innovation. We are delighted to engage in this global partnership with MassBio to fully unlock the potential of local early-stage entrepreneurs, helping them transform innovative ideas into therapeutic solutions that serve patients.”

Bayer-MassCONNECT Asia will become MassCONNECT^®Part of the initiative. MassCONNECT is a specialized mentorship program offered by MassBio specifically for the life sciences sector. The program involves guidance from senior experts in the life sciences field, helping entrepreneurs drive early-stage innovation and facilitate commercialization.

“We are delighted to partner with Bayer on this collaborative initiative. This partnership underscores Bayer’s commitment to the MassCONNECT program and open innovation, while also highlighting MassBio’s core belief that the origin of innovation is less important than its true value—whether it benefits patients,” said John Hallinan, Chief Business Officer at MassBio. “Many early-stage startups lack clarity on how to translate their research findings into clinical applications and therapies. By combining our mentoring expertise with Bayer’s strong presence in Asia, this joint mentorship program will accelerate entrepreneurs’ progress, enhance the impact of their efforts, and ultimately help develop new treatments for patients.”

Bayer-MassCONNECT Asia is a four-week mentorship program. Industry experts will provide guidance and training to selected entrepreneurs on their business plans, company formation, and fundraising. Entrepreneurs will receive valuable advice and support in defining project positioning, developing growth strategies, and building professional networks.

Dr. Huang Peishi, Head of the Open Innovation Hub China at Bayer Pharmaceuticals Division, stated, “Open innovation is a vital component of Bayer’s global innovation strategy. As an integral part of Bayer’s global innovation network, China boasts numerous startups and innovative talents. We aim to accelerate the transformation of their innovations into valuable outcomes through the Joint Mentorship Program. This initiative once again demonstrates Bayer’s commitment to supporting the development of China’s innovation ecosystem and advancing local innovation capabilities.”

Bayer Prescription Drugs China Open Innovation Center was established in 2009. Over the past decade, the company has continuously deepened its strategic partnerships with top Chinese academic institutions such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, and the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, committed to accelerating the translation of basic research findings into new drug development and enhancing China's pharmaceutical R&D innovation capabilities. Meanwhile, Bayer has also entered into a series of collaborative projects with Chinese pharmaceutical companies and biotech startups, including CStone Pharmaceuticals and Heqirui Pharma, leveraging complementary strengths to develop innovative treatment solutions.

In China, the joint mentorship program will be open to early-stage entrepreneurs and researchers selected through a competitive bidding evaluation process. Applications for the program are now being accepted, with a deadline of July 31, 2020. Please apply via emailinnovation.china@bayer.comContact Bayer Prescription Drugs China Open Innovation Center DirectlyHeart.