Bayer Acquires Vividion Therapeutics to Strengthen Drug Discovery Platform and Drive Breakthrough Innovation in Pipeline
VCBeat has learned that on August 6, Bayer Group announced the acquisition of Vividion (Vividion Therapeutics, Inc.), a U.S.-headquartered biopharmaceutical company. Leveraging novel discovery technologies, Vividion unlocks high-value targets traditionally considered undruggable, thereby enabling the development of precision therapies. Vividion’s platform is capable of generating a series of small-molecule therapies for numerous indications, with its initial focus primarily on targets related to oncology and immunology. The company’s key programs include multiple precision oncology and precision immunology targets. Currently, it is advancing several preclinical projects, such as transcription factor NRF2 antagonists for the treatment of cancers with NRF2 mutations, and NRF2 activators for various inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease.
Upon completion of the acquisition, Bayer will obtain full rights to Vividion’s proprietary discovery platform, which comprises three integrated and synergistic components: novel chemoproteomics screening technology, an integrated data portal, and a proprietary chemical library. The acquisition of Vividion will strengthen Bayer’s small-molecule capabilities and expand its therapeutic modalities into new areas. Under the terms of the agreement, Bayer will pay $1.5 billion upfront, along with milestone payments of up to $500 million contingent upon the successful achievement of specified targets.
“This acquisition is a key strategic cornerstone aimed at advancing our product portfolio through breakthrough innovation,” said Stefan Oelrich, Member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and President of Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division. “Vividion possesses the industry’s most advanced technology and has demonstrated its ability to identify drug candidates targeting challenging proteins. By combining this with Bayer’s existing expertise, we will be able to develop a pipeline of first-in-class candidates, enhance the value of our product portfolio, and remain committed to delivering innovative therapies for patients whose medical needs are not met by current treatment options.”
In the field of drug discovery, identifying candidate drugs targeting undruggable proteins remains a significant challenge. Vividion’s chemoproteomics screening platform enables selective evaluation through chemical probes screened against the entire human proteome, identifying previously unknown binding pockets on well-validated protein targets. This approach yields compounds with high potency and selectivity, offering broad therapeutic windows for numerous areas with significant unmet medical needs. Vividion’s technology has demonstrated preclinical applicability in oncology and immune-related diseases, with potential for expansion into additional indications.
Jeff Hatfield, CEO of Vividion Therapeutics, stated: “Despite advances in genomics, structural biology, and high-throughput screening, current therapies cannot target approximately 90% of disease-causing proteins due to the lack of known, druggable binding sites. Our proprietary chemoproteomics platform addresses key limitations of traditional screening technologies, enabling us to discover previously unknown or cryptic functional pockets on protein surfaces and identify small molecules that selectively bind to these targets. By combining this capability with Bayer’s expertise in developing small-molecule drugs tailored to market and patient needs, we will be uniquely positioned to unlock undruggable targets and develop first-in-class novel compounds, thereby benefiting patients.”
To ensure that the entrepreneurial culture remains a key pillar in fostering successful innovation within the company, Vividion will continue to operate as an independent organization on an arm’s length basis. Vividion will be responsible for developing its technology and product portfolio, while benefiting from Bayer’s extensive experience, robust infrastructure, and global reach as a multinational pharmaceutical enterprise.
The completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals, and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2021.
About Bayer
As a multinational enterprise, Bayer possesses core competencies in health and agriculture within the life sciences sector. The company is committed to helping people overcome the major challenges posed by global population growth and aging through its products and services, thereby contributing to human well-being and the prosperity of the planet. Bayer is dedicated to promoting sustainable development and generating a positive impact through its business operations. Meanwhile, the Group enhances profitability and creates value through technological innovation and business growth. Worldwide, the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability, and quality. In fiscal year 2020, Bayer employed approximately 100,000 people and generated sales of €41.4 billion. Research and development expenditure, excluding special items, amounted to €4.9 billion.
About Vividion
Vividion (Vividion Therapeutics, Inc.) is a biopharmaceutical company that leverages novel discovery technologies to unlock high-value, traditionally undruggable targets and develop precision therapies for cancer and immune diseases. The company’s platform has enabled the identification of hundreds of previously unknown functional pockets on well-validated protein targets with potential links to numerous diseases. This technology also identifies compounds from its proprietary covalent chemistry library that exhibit highly selective interactions with these pockets. Vividion is utilizing its proprietary chemoproteomics platform to advance a diverse pipeline of highly selective small-molecule therapeutics targeting high-value, traditionally undruggable targets in oncology and immunology.