Leaps by Bayer

In the fast-evolving world of AgTech, startups are constantly faced with tough questions: “What data proves your product works?”, “What milestones have you achieved?” Bringing new #agricultural #innovations to market is hard, especially when there’s no standardized process to follow. That’s why we're excited about the launch of the Ag Playbook—a comprehensive guide designed to help startups, investors, and industry players navigate the complexities of bringing new products to market. From understanding R&D costs and timelines to partnering with established players, this Playbook offers a common framework to evaluate and develop AgTech innovations more effectively.🌾 Whether you're an AgTech entrepreneur, investor, or industry leader, this Playbook will serve as your roadmap to help feed the world sustainably. Thanks to all who contributed, especially Paimun (PJ) Amini for leading the way! Read the Ag Playbook here: https://lnkd.in/gjggcCQB

By leveraging cutting-edge #CRISPR technology, pairwise, Inc. is transforming everyday fruits and vegetables to be more convenient, nutritious, and sustainable. From seedless blackberries to pitless cherries and CRISPR-enhanced leafy greens, Pairwise is committed to improving the quality and accessibility of produce. Additionally, their advanced row crops collaboration with Bayer is set to boost yield and resilience in essential crops like corn and soy.

🔎 Discover 3 groundbreaking ways AI could transform healthcare Personalized health powered by AI often brings to mind supercharged diagnostics, enhanced #drugdiscovery, and tailored medication schedules. However, AI can also drive down costs and boost accessibility on a global scale, sparking paradigm shifts in outdated healthcare systems. Curious? Keep reading or swipe through the graphic below to learn more. 1. “Digital twins” Using AI, a virtual copy of a patient is created, simulating treatments to provide insights without risk or to optimize drug trials. Preliminary trials help create these virtual copies, which are used to identify 'duds'—people who do not respond to standardized dosages or schedules. 2. AI resource management AI can enhance resource sharing and allocation, such as predicting ICU bed capacities during COVID. Surprisingly, it can also ensure patient privacy and safe data transmission through so-called ‘synthetic data’, patient data stripped of any identifiers, improving knowledge sharing and expertise. 3. LLM’s for patient experience LLMs in healthcare can improve patient access, by reducing paperwork burdens. While they already can recommend drug-trial protocols or diagnoses, the accuracy must improve for reliability and thus application.

Who are some of the pioneers of tomorrow? Have a look at Fierce Pharma Top 50 picks below. 🔬 🚀

Guardian Agriculture is revolutionizing crop management with drone technology and AI. Their precision drones deliver targeted treatments, boosting yields and reducing environmental impact. Committed to #sustainability, Guardian Agriculture empowers farmers with real-time data for proactive decision-making, transforming agriculture for a better future.

Congratulations to the entire team at eGenesis, Inc. and CEO Michael Curtis on raising this Series D funding. 👏 The investment will propel the company’s lead kidney transplant candidate, EGEN-2784, toward first-in-human trials, support other pipeline projects, and scale production. We are delighted to continuously support eGenesis on their path to revolutionizing organ transplantation. The company recently completed the world's first porcine kidney transplant in a human under FDA approval. eGenesis' work leverages modern genome editing tools to create organs designed to reduce rejection risk, offering hope to millions suffering from organ failure worldwide.

Despite the absence of a cure for #AlzheimersDisease disease, recent drug approvals are sparking new hope. 👉Explore the timeline to discover key milestones in the history of Alzheimer's drug development. Historically, treatments have focused on alleviating symptoms without addressing the underlying cause of the disease. After two decades of no new Alzheimer’s drugs, the FDA has recently approved two new drugs: donanemab and another immunotherapy called lecanemab. Both drugs are slowing down disease progression. While these advancements are promising, the journey toward a real cure for Alzheimer's is far from over. Continued innovation and research are crucial to fully understand and combat the complexities of this devastating disease. We must keep pushing the boundaries of science to bring meaningful solutions to those affected. Read more in a recent Forbes op-ed from Head of Leaps. Link in the comments.

🌍 The future of medicine is here: explore the transformative power of cell & gene therapy Watch Bayer's CEO Bill Anderson and Ruth R. Shah, a trained cell and molecular biologist, explore how the emergence of #cellandgene therapies, new classes of medicine, hold the potential to revolutionize the treatment of a wide range of diseases. From rare disorders to more common conditions like #cancer, these therapies are already making a significant impact.   At Leaps by Bayer, we’re fortunate to be part of this wave of innovation. Our portfolio company BlueRock Therapeutics, which was acquired by Bayer in 2019, has seen promising results from an 18-month Phase 1 clinical trial for a new cell therapy aimed at treating #Parkinson’s disease. This therapy shows potential in restoring lost cellular function, and the FDA’s Fast Track designation underscores its importance in the field.   Bayer also works alongside pioneering partners like Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio) to advance gene therapy programs, using viral vectors to deliver therapeutic genes directly to patients’ cells. With over 150 clinical trials currently exploring gene editing technologies, the future is full of promise.   These advancements are about more than just treating diseases — they’re about transforming lives. As we continue to innovate and invest in these areas, our hope is to make these therapies widely accessible, offering new possibilities to patients around the world.   Dive into the full interview to learn more: 

🌱 We are thrilled to share that portfolio company EarthOptics has merged with Pattern Ag to form a category-leading company in soil digitization! 🌍 Operating under the EarthOptics name, this merger brings together cutting-edge soil sensing technology and advanced Predictive Agronomy, creating a comprehensive "digital twin" of soil. This powerful combination will empower farmers with unparalleled insights into their soil's physical, chemical, and biological properties, optimizing crop management and boosting farm profitability and sustainability. #SustainableAgriculture #SoilHealth #Agritech Read more: https://lnkd.in/gEEbxK5S

The latest op-ed from Head of Leaps, Juergen Eckhardt, explores a potential new era in #Alzheimer's treatment. The recent FDA approval of Eli Lilly’s new #immunotherapy, donanemab, marks a significant milestone in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. This follows closely on the heels of lecanemab's approval, offering new hope to millions affected by this challenging condition. While these therapies—designed to clear toxic amyloid proteins from the brain—only slow cognitive decline by about 30%, they provide crucial time where patients can hold onto their memories and independence. However, as the scientific community cautiously celebrates these advancements, it’s clear that we’re just at the beginning. The potential of amyloid-targeting drugs is tempered by significant risks, and there is much work to be done in developing even more effective treatments. Exciting developments in Alzheimer's vaccines and the biology of aging could pave the way for future breakthroughs, offering a multifaceted approach to tackling this complex disease. Read more in the full article.