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Bayer is seeking solutions in the field of intimate health for their Canesten brand, where cutting-edge science meets soothing relief for everyday skin and intimate health needs.
Recurrent vaginal yeast infections (VYI) represent a common challenge affecting numerous women worldwide, typically characterized by three or more vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) episodes annually.
These infections stem primarily from an overgrowth of Candida, a naturally occurring yeast in the body. Disruptions in the body's microbiome, often triggered by factors like antibiotics, hormonal fluctuations, or a compromised immune system, can precipitate this overgrowth.
The repercussions for the individual can be substantial, as symptoms such as vulval itching, burning, and discharge result in discomfort and distress. Seeking treatment often involves OTC antifungal medications or prescribed drugs.
Seeking treatment often involves over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal medications or prescribed drugs. Misuse and overuse of antifungal and antibacterial medications can lead to drug-resistant strains of Candida, complicating the treatment of yeast infections and exacerbating the issue of antimicrobial resistance in other bacterial and fungal infections.
We are looking for novel technologies/formulations targeting vaginal yeast infections. This could be via improving formulations containing clotrimazole or through other, novel means. We seek a solution that treats the infection itself, rather than solutions applied cosmetically that solely address the symptoms of itchiness and discomfort. Solutions of interest include, but are not limited to, the following.
- Additives/adjuvants to clotrimazole
- Biofilm disruption technologies
- Recurrent vaginal yeast infection (VYI) treatment
- Antibiotic/antifungal solutions with new mode of action limiting recurrence
- We are ideally seeking a solution that can take a non-prescription approach, such as OTC (over the counter) or medical device
- We are open to all stages of development, with priority given to the clinical phase and solutions that are near the commercial stage
- Topical solutions that act directly within the intimate area are preferred versus systemic treatments (such as oral medications) that work through a body-wide approach
- Any brand new active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) that would require a prescription
- Cosmetic-only solutions such as soothing gels, anti-itch and creams, washes, moisturizers, deodorants and intimate wipes, that offer only temporary symptom relief
At Bayer, our mission is to use science to improve everyday health for everyone. We can’t do it alone, so we actively search for and bring in talented, driven partners from around the consumer health industry. With our size and scale, we can help bring exciting new tools developed by others to market faster, and increase people’s access to them.
Our commitment to partnerships means simply bringing better products to those who need them faster. We look for partners who have new ideas, capabilities, insights and strengths that we might not have. For our partners, this commitment can mean access to much-needed investment or technical capacity. But most importantly, it means knowing they are working with a science-led and trusted global company that can help them grow and reach more people.
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