Leaps by Bayer

Diagnosing and treating autoimmune diseases remains a major challenge – but innovation is accelerating. In his latest op-ed for Forbes, Juergen Eckhardt, Head of Leaps by Bayer, highlights four novel approaches that could reshape the future of care for 320+ million people affected globally. ➡️ Coding Bio is working on scalable immune engager molecules – an "off-the-shelf" approach to eliminate autoreactive B cells, offering a promising alternative to the individualized nature of CAR T-cell therapy. ➡️ Nuvig Therapeutics Inc. is developing a drug that mimics the anti-inflammatory effects of sialylated IgGs, aiming to provide a more convenient and potent option than current IVIG infusions. ➡️ etherna, in collaboration with UHasselt, is advancing mRNA-based inverse vaccines that could retrain the immune system to tolerate self-antigens and prevent harmful autoimmune reactions. ➡️ Hansa Biopharma is developing enzymes that rapidly degrade IgG antibodies, potentially enabling faster-acting interventions for IgG-driven autoimmune diseases. 💡 Each of these technologies represents a shift toward more precise, targeted, and potentially disease-modifying treatments. 🔗 Read the full article in the comments to explore how these innovations may help us move beyond symptom control – and toward immune system reprogramming.

#Autoimmunediseases don’t just affect individuals – they strain families, health systems, and economies around the world. Despite billions spent and millions affected, treatments today still rely heavily on tools like steroids and immunosuppressants which only manage symptoms but often fail to change the course of the disease – and sometimes come at a high long-term cost. At Leaps by Bayer, we believe the next wave of #innovation must go deeper: not just controlling the immune system, but retraining it. That's why we're backing pioneers developing potentially curative approaches – because living with an autoimmune disease shouldn’t mean settling for lifelong compromise. 👉 What #breakthroughs do you believe will define the future of autoimmune treatment?

How do different generations’ perceptions of the use of AI in healthcare in America vary? How do Gen Z Americans’ responses differ from those in other countries surveyed? These questions and more are answered in our snapshot report, “How Society Feels About Breakthrough Science – In the USA,” developed with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Ipsos UK. Follow this link for more insights: https://lnkd.in/e_FF87zD

PROTACs are helping researchers create potential therapies for disorders that were once thought to be undruggable. Designing molecules that can use a cell’s natural process for waste disposal is proving to be a powerful approach in oncology, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune disorders, and more! This versatile technology can also be applied in agriculture – our portfolio company Oerth Bio is leveraging it for crop protection. Read their newly published study in Nature Magazine article here: https://lnkd.in/eAcyfbFz

In our Breakthrough Study survey, co-developed with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) with research by Ipsos UK, we gathered insights from over 13,000 participants across 13 countries. We narrowed in on the US data to examine how the attitudes of ‘progressives’ and ‘traditionalists’ differ: 🔍 Key Finding: Americans who identify as ‘progressive’ have a more positive view of new genomic techniques compared to traditionalists’ opinions on #NGTs. Want to learn more about US attitudes toward breakthrough innovation? Follow this link: https://lnkd.in/e_FF87zD

💡 Our VP of Venture Investments Agriculture, Derek Norman, shared a great reflection on the #agtech market in his first LinkedIn pulse article. Read the article to learn his top 4 key take-aways after last months' World Agri-Tech. 🌱

Oerth Bio has taken PROTACs where they have never gone before. From fighting cancer to protecting crops. The seminal study published in Nature Magazine Communications Biology highlights Oerth’s ability to precisely degrade target proteins in insects – a huge step toward sustainable crop protection. Read here: Chief Scientific Officer Oerth Bio Rob Cicchillo says this represents the culmination of years of foundational science at Oerth Bio and a major validation of the ability to design protein degraders with precision. Head of Leaps by Bayer Juergen Eckhardt states that this milestone demonstrates how cutting-edge biotechnology platforms can be reimagined to solve some of agriculture’s most urgent challenges.

🥳 Exciting news: Together with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Ipsos UK, we have released a new snapshot report “How Society Feels About Breakthrough Science – In the USA,” as an addendum to our main report, exploring intriguing generational attitudes among #Americans regarding #AI in #healthcare and new genomic techniques in #agriculture. 💡 Which #generation in the US is the most aware of different AI applications? How do the opinions of ‘progressives’ and ‘traditionalists’ differ? Get the answers to these and more questions here:

🥳 Exciting news: Together with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Ipsos UK, we have released a new snapshot report “How Society Feels About Breakthrough Science – In the USA,” as an addendum to our main report, exploring intriguing generational attitudes among #Americans regarding #AI in #healthcare and new genomic techniques in #agriculture. 💡 Which #generation in the US is the most aware of different AI applications? How do the opinions of ‘progressives’ and ‘traditionalists’ differ? Get the answers to these and more questions here:

PROTACs could revolutionize cancer therapy. Can they revolutionize agriculture too? Learn about how they work and stay tuned to find out how we can harness the natural processes of cells – human, plant, or insect!🚶♂️🌱🦋