Bayer has announced the U.S. launch of the Bayer Science Collaboration Explorer (BSCE) as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance public trust in scientific innovations, processes, and R&D activities. The Explorer is a publicly accessible database where Bayer shares information on its science collaborations and new contracts with universities, public research institutions, and individuals.
Innovation is crucial to overcome the most pressing issues of our time, such as climate change, COVID-19, or the food crisis. At Bayer, the company's innovation ecosystem has produced breakthrough solutions to the world’s most complex challenges impacting humanity - and the company cannot do it alone. Research collaborations are essential to develop and translate scientific findings, however partnerships between the public and private sector are sometimes regarded with skepticism. In fact, only 29% of U.S. adults say they have a great deal of confidence in scientists to act in the best interests of the public, down from 39% in November 2020.(1) As science in general is facing eroding trust, Bayer is proactively addressing the desire for more transparency around corporate-funded research with clear, understandable, and accessible information for all stakeholders about the collaborations that are helping drive innovation for our society.
"Trust in science is essential for solving the major challenges humanity is facing and transparency is key to strengthening society's trust in scientific innovations," said Werner Baumann, CEO of Bayer AG. "Launching the Bayer Science Collaboration Explorer in the United States demonstrates our commitment to transparency. The publicly accessible database allows everyone to explore our external science collaborations. These partnerships are crucial to helping us achieve what matters to all of us and is anchored in Bayer's vision 'Health for All, Hunger for None.'"
Matthias Berninger, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability at Bayer added: "Our commitment to transparency goes beyond just Bayer as a company - we want to drive this forward together with our industry, academic, and civil society partners. We therefore see the launch of the Explorer as a game-changing tool to generate an important dialogue on trust in science. As we lead this conversation, we welcome all stakeholders to join our work to enhance trust in the innovations that will address the biggest needs of our society."
Specifically, the following core details will be published for new contracts: Name and country of the institution/person, collaboration type (e.g., research contract), subject of collaboration (e.g., oncology, digital farming), funding committed, effective date, participating Bayer division.
The Explorer is part of Bayer's twelve transparency commitments. Complementing the Explorer, they provide open access to information from a variety of areas, including clinical trials and safety studies of Bayer’s crop protection products, or its political activities.
You can find out more about the Bayer Science Collaboration Explorer at https://www.bayer.com/en/commitments/transparency-in-science-collaborations.
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 help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2021, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 44.1 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 5.3 billion euros.1. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2022/02/15/americans-trust-in-scientists-other-groups-declines/