Bayer Plc launches LifeHub UK as part of a global network of Bayer global innovation hubs. LifeHub UK is designed to accelerate and optimise disease detection and data-driven drug discovery by developing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled imaging solutions.
- LifeHub UK is flagship addition to the Bayer network of innovation hubs across the globe
- Inaugural LifeHub UK project with Bayer partner, clinical AI company Sensyne Health, focuses on development of AI-enabled radiology to enhance patient outcomes
- Bayer commits long-term investment of £3m to LifeHub UK and Sensyne Health to work in partnership with Bayer on specific projects
Bayer, Reading UK, 10th October 2019: Bayer Plc today launches LifeHub UK as part of a global network of Bayer global innovation hubs. LifeHub UK is designed to accelerate and optimise disease detection and data-driven drug discovery by developing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled imaging solutions. The Reading-based hub is the newest member of Bayer’s growing family of LifeHubs located at global innovation hotspots, including Berlin, Boston, California, Japan, Lyon and Singapore. Sensyne Health will be one of the first companies to have a presence in the Bayer LifeHub UK.
The move is part of the Bayer vision to leverage a global ecosystem of key technology partners to jointly create world-leading AI and digital solutions in health and nutrition. Bayer has committed to long-term investment in LifeHub UK of £3m and Sensyne Health will be working in partnership with Bayer on novel projects.
Kemal Malik, Bayer Board Member for Innovation, said: “We are delighted to launch LifeHub UK. We firmly believe that Artificial Intelligence has transformative potential for healthcare, leading to enhancements in prediction, prevention and personalised treatments.”
He added that LifeHub UK’s roadmap was a perfect fit to Bayer’s Open Innovation strategy, which is designed to leverage places, programmes and partnerships – such as strategic alliances and joint ventures – in the life sciences fields of pharmaceuticals and agriculture.
As a first step, LifeHub UK will focus on the development of AI-enabled radiology solutions. Clinical AI technology company, Sensyne Health, sealed a collaboration agreement with Bayer earlier this year and will be one of the first companies to have a presence in LifeHub UK.
The Thames Valley-based company will continue to jointly accelerate the clinical development of new treatments with an initial focus on digital solutions for automated image evaluation. In the future, the two companies intend to conduct joint R&D activities for the development of AI-enabled imaging solutions.
By leveraging the research from three million anonymised, ethically sourced NHS patient records, analysed by Sensyne Health’s clinical AI platform through its unique partnerships with NHS Trusts, the collaboration in LifeHub UK aims to develop digital solutions to help radiologists improve the quality of diagnosis and increase efficiency for patients in receiving the right treatment in a timely manner.
Professor Dr. Olaf Weber, Head of Radiology R&D at Bayer, today welcomed the opportunities that LifeHub UK will open up, saying: “Bayer is looking forward to bringing its knowledge and expertise in medical imaging within radiology into joint development activities with our partners at LifeHub UK.”
Rt Hon. Lord Drayson, CEO Sensyne Health Plc, said of the ongoing commitment and collaboration of the two companies: “Initiatives like this are essential to quickly maximise the opportunity AI presents to improve patient care and accelerate medical research. I’m delighted to be working with Bayer, extending our partnership to deliver the benefits of digital innovation directly to clinicians and patients.”
The new hub is based in Reading’s Green Park - at the heart of the Thames Valley – which boasts more than 45,000 tech-related jobs and contributes around £12billion to UK annual digital technology revenues. The LifeHub UK committed partners are: Sensyne Health in Oxford and Reading University, Royal Berkshire Hospital and Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, all in and around Reading.
Dr Diana Medeiros Placido, head of LifeHub UK, said “The UK is the place to be in the Global tech ecosystem and we are excited to strengthen our presence here, connecting with some of the brightest minds to jointly explore, discover and develop leading customer-centric solutions to advance patient care.”
The UK is today the world’s third biggest market for AI investment - following the US and China – with funding rising six-fold since 2014 (ref source: Tech Nation 2019).
Contact:
Hayley Wood, Bayer External Communications
Email: hayley.wood@bayer.com
Tel: 0118 206 3523 / 07788 365833
Notes for Editors:
About Bayer LifeHubs
Located at innovation hotspots across the globe, Bayer’s network of LifeHubs strive to springboard solutions at the intersection of health and nutrition by:
- Exploring promising leads through collaboration with customers and entrepreneurs;
- Incubating solutions, technologies and piloting new business models;
- Partnering with experts through alliances that explore cutting edge technologies.
About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development, and the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2018, the Group employed around 117,000 people and had sales of 39.6 billion euros. Capital expenditures amounted to 2.6 billion euros, R&D expenses to 5.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
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