Bayer and BioNTech AG, an immunotherapy company headquartered in Mainz, Germany have entered into an agreement to develop mRNA vaccines and therapeutics for animal health applications. BioNTech will contribute its proprietary mRNA technology platform, formulation development capabilities, immunology expertise, and intellectual property, and Bayer’s animal health unit will provide its development expertise and disease know-how.

Through the agreement, Bayer secures exclusive rights to use BioNTech’s proprietary mRNA technology and intellectual property for development of mRNA vaccines for animal health applications while BioNTech gains exclusive access to Bayer’s expertise and knowledge in veterinary medicine.

The agreement is backed by an investment by the Bayer Lifescience Center (BLSC), which operates as a strategic innovation unit in Bayer, directly reporting to Bayer´s Board of Management. The BLSC has the mission to uncover, encourage, and unlock fundamental scientific and medical breakthroughs more rapidly by enabling innovative partnerships with entrepreneurial biotechnology companies.

Source: BioNTech