The cooperation will focus on oncology, cardiorenal, immunology, and cell and gene therapy. Bayer will provide the funds and support for the joint research projects and scientists at PKU. This will build on the strategic partnership between the two under which a joint research center at PKU has been founded to translate drug discovery research to industry. 

"We look forward to a new chapter of the partnership between Bayer and Peking University moving forward," said Friedemann Janus, Acting Head of Business Development & Licensing and Open Innovation, at Bayer.

Bayer has collaborated with many academic institutions over its history. In China Bayer has strategic partnerships with PKU and Tsinghua University, two prestigious universities. Topics covered by these partnerships include drug mechanism of action research, drug screening, efficacy evaluation, and more.