Bayer, a global life sciences company, and Henry Ford Health announced a strategic partnership to expand clinical trial opportunities for patients. The work brings together Bayer’s global drug development expertise with Henry Ford Health’s comprehensive clinical research program and its deep connection to the communities it serves.

“Clinical trials are often the first opportunity patients have to access cutting-edge treatments,” said Dr. David Lanfear, Chief Scientific Officer for Henry Ford Health. “Through this collaboration, we aim to make clinical research more accessible, reduce barriers to participation, accelerate the development of new treatments and ensure that more patients have the opportunity to benefit from medical innovation.”

Initial efforts will focus on several key areas that align with Bayer’s growing pipeline and product offerings:

• Cardiovascular and renal disease, including thrombosis, heart failure, stroke, and chronic kidney disease
• Oncology, including advanced cancers and targeted therapies
• Women’s health, including treatments for menopausal symptoms and gynecologic conditions

Together, the organizations will collaboratively work across the full clinical trial process, using data and technology to design smarter trials. Patients will be able to access novel treatments sooner by reducing barriers to participation.

“Bayer is consistently exploring new avenues that can help more patients with diseases or health conditions that impact millions of people across the world,” said Christoph Koenen, Head, Clinical Development & Operations for Bayer. “We share this commitment to patients and advancing drug discovery with likeminded institutions like Henry Ford Health that can help reduce barriers to accessing investigational or potential new treatments right in the very communities where patients are already receiving their care.”

The partnership will add more areas of medicinal research as time goes on. Beyond clinical trials, the organizations plan to work together in areas such as:

• Using AI, analytics, and electronic health record data to improve trial design and patient identification
• Generating real-world evidence to better understand how treatments perform
• Supporting training and innovation in healthcare data science

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing clinical research in ways that are faster, more inclusive, and more accessible for patients.

Henry Ford Health is one of only four academic health systems in the U.S. selected to work with Bayer in this strategic research model, reflecting its clinical expertise, integrated care network, diverse patient population and strong track record in clinical research. In July, Bayer announced its first strategic alliance with the University of Colorado Anschutz, UCHealth and Children’s Hospital Colorado to advance drug development and clinical trials.

“This partnership builds on Henry Ford Health’s longstanding leadership in clinical research and creates new opportunities to bring innovative studies to our patients,” Lanfear said. “By combining our expertise with Bayer’s global research capabilities, we can help advance treatments in areas that matter most while ensuring research reflects the needs of the diverse communities we serve.”