Bayer Uses AI Innovation to Advance Drug Discovery

Pharmaceutical and biotech company Bayer wants to advance the process of small molecule discovery and development of new drugs.  

In pursuit of this goal, the established corporation has entered into a sourcing partnership with Iambic Therapeutics Inc., a science and technology firm, to leverage its AI-powered platform for addressing drug targets that are traditionally difficult to reach.

Bayer leverages AI

Juergen Eckhardt, M.D., Head of Business Development and Licensing at Bayer Pharmaceuticals explains: “This collaboration exemplifies our shared ambition to harness AI as a strategic driver of innovation in drug discovery and our focus on building high-impact collaborations that translate cutting-edge technology into patient value.

“By collaborating with Iambic, we bring together complementary capabilities to accelerate scientific insights and improve decision-making across the R&D value chain.” 

Bayer will utilise Iambic’s Enchant & NeuralPLexer AI platforms to identify new drug pathways, increase optimisation timelines and improve scientific research benefiting the pharmaceutical’s platform. 

“Iambic is proving that better technology leads to better medicines, both in our own hands and with visionary partners like Bayer,” adds Tom Miller, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of Iambic. 

“Through this collaboration, Bayer secures access to industry-leading technology, including Iambic’s frontier AI models Enchant and NeuralPLexer, and together we expand the universe of potential life-saving medicines.”

At present, Bayer’s research division prioritises specialty areas such as Oncology, Cardiology, Neurology, Women’s Health and Cell and Gene Therapies. Currently, the sector manages 40 active programs, maintaining an innovation portfolio comprised of 45% biologics and advanced therapies alongside 55% small molecules.

Sustainability within procurement

Bayer is committed to sustainability efforts and improving the lives of everyday people. In 2025, the company set a bold goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire system by 2050 or sooner. In order to achieve this, Bayer is switching to purchasing 100% of its electricity only from renewable sources.

Bill Anderson, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer of Bayer, says: “Health for all Hunger for none – our mission is at the heart of everything we do at Bayer. 

“We’re dedicated to better health improved patient care and innovative agriculture to not only produce more food but also restore nature: by improving soil health, restoring biodiversity and conserving water.” 

Bayer's facility in northern Spain reached a significant milestone in 2025 by becoming the first plant in the region to achieve total decarbonisation. This accomplishment was made possible through a strategic collaboration with Iberdrola, an electric utility provider. Iberdrola implemented a thermal storage system next to the Bayer site, which converts renewable power into the steam essential for the plant's industrial processes.

Mario Ruiz-Tagle, CEO of Iberdrola Spain, shares: “This is the first major steam electrification project in Spain and one of the largest in the world, which represents the great commitment of Bayer and Iberdrola to Asturias.

“It uses thermal storage technology, available technology that allows up to 50% of the heat consumed by industry in Spain to be decarbonised.”