Bayer HealthCare, which oversees the global activities of the Bayer Group’s Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions, has announced a long-term strategic partnership for clinical drug development with US-based provider Covance.

Bayer characterised the partnership as the “next-level” of a broad-based relationship with Covance that goes back several years, aimed at maximising the benefits of the alliance across the Bayer HealthCare organisation. The agreement includes research and development services related to Phase II-IV clinical studies as well as central laboratory services.

According to Bayer, the goal is to “better leverage Covance’s broad range of experience and services across the R&D portfolio to attain best-in-class operational delivery, efficiency and quality”, while also reaping significant financial benefits for both organisations.

“We are extremely proud to have established an enduring relationship with Bayer HealthCare built on trust and proven performance that is now elevating to a strategic partnership,” commented John Watson, president, strategic partnering, and chief commercial officer at Covance.

Existing partnerships

The drug-development services provider already has a number of strategic partnerships with Big Pharma players under its belt.

These include an alliance with the Pharmaceutical Development Division of Takeda Pharmaceuticals International, announced in February 2011, under which both Covance and Quintiles are helping Takeda to plan and execute global development programmes in support of new compounds across the therapeutic spectrum (excluding oncology).