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Bayer is dedicated to innovation in women’s healthcare, historically focusing on many areas, including the menstrual cycle, birth control, pregnancy, menopause, painful menstruation, and endometriosis.

We sat down with Pablo Arriagada, Head of Women’s Health Clinical Development at Bayer, to better understand Bayer’s efforts in the area and what lies ahead.

What does women’s health mean to Bayer as a company?

Women’s health is truly in Bayer’s DNA. As a global leader in women’s healthcare with over 100 years of heritage and expertise, we have a long-standing commitment to advancing innovative treatments that improve women’s health throughout their lives. Our distinctive portfolio addresses the diverse needs of women, ranging from menarche to menopause and beyond. We provide a wide array of effective short- and long-acting birth control methods, therapies for menopause management, and treatments for gynecological diseases. Additionally, we are focused on developing innovative options to meet the unmet medical needs of women worldwide. By 2030, we aim to provide 100 million women in low- and middle-income countries with access to family planning, aligning our efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Why do you find it interesting to join BII’s Women’s Health Innovation Panel?

Joining BII’s Women’s Health Innovation Panel presents an invaluable opportunity to collaborate with experts and innovators in the field. This panel is a unique platform for sharing insights and driving forward-thinking discussions that can lead to impactful advancements in women’s health. By engaging with diverse perspectives, we can foster an environment that encourages groundbreaking research and development in this vital area. Together, we can enhance our collective efforts to address the critical challenges facing women’s healthcare today.

What should be done in the women’s health space to bring better treatments and products to the market?

It’s essential to prioritize the patient’s choice in women’s health, whether it’s in family planning or menopause management. Empowering women with a variety of options allows them to shape their lives according to their individual needs. In the earlier phases of life, this means ensuring access to contraceptive choices, while later, it involves effective management of gynecological diseases and menopause symptoms. In addition, there is still an important unmet medical need to address pregnancy complications, maternal and neonatal health and fertility issues. To achieve this, we must advocate for broader awareness and education around women’s health issues, breaking the silence and taboos that often surround these topics. By normalizing conversations around women’s health, we can significantly improve access to information and support. Additionally, the future of women’s health will likely see a greater emphasis on personalized medicine, allowing treatments to be tailored specifically to the individual needs of women. Women’s health is not a niche market; it is a vital area that deserves comprehensive attention and investment.

How does Bayer perceive women’s health from a commercial point of view?

Bayer’s commitment to women’s health is steadfast, marked by decades of innovation and sustained engagement in this field. We are proud to be one of the top pharmaceutical companies in the women’s health market, with our products available in more than 130 countries. Our ongoing investment in research and development, including our late-stage investigational compounds for menopause treatment, reflects our dedication to supporting women’s healthcare. We strive to be a trusted partner, serving our customers and ultimately enhancing the health of women globally.

How can we change the status quo with the women’s health space being underserved and underfunded?

In the past, the industry focused on finding treatment alternatives to fit the largest possible population, driving the focus on finding potential blockbuster opportunities. Now, the focus is shifting to individualized therapies, disease modifying treatments, and more stratified patient management. That opens opportunities for innovation. However, changing the status quo requires a concerted effort across multiple fronts. For more than five decades, Bayer has been committed to supporting education programs and rights-based family planning in more than 130 countries, particularly focusing on access to modern contraception. Our efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and emphasize the importance of education and awareness. Initiatives like World Contraception Day and the “Your Life” campaign, which we sponsor, highlight our commitment to advancing sexual and reproductive health rights. Partnering with diverse stakeholders is crucial, and our recent campaign, Women by Bayer, aims to raise awareness of women’s health issues and their unique health needs.

If we look 5-10 years ahead – how do you think the women’s health area looks like from an industrial perspective?

Looking ahead, we anticipate significant shifts in women’s health as demographics evolve and women gain greater economic power, influencing healthcare priorities. This increased economic influence will drive demand for tailored health solutions, including personalized medicine that addresses the unique needs of women. By broadening choices and focusing on unmet needs through research and development, we can enhance health outcomes for women and society as a whole. Additionally, the integration of digital health solutions will empower women to manage their health proactively. We expect to see more collaborations between pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, and tech firms to drive innovation and improve access to care, ensuring that women’s diverse health needs are met globally.

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