Bayer Leverages Iambic AI to Speed Drug Discovery

Juergen Eckhardt, M.D., serves as Head of Business Development and Licensing at Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

Bayer is leveraging Iambic Therapeutics to deploy frontier AI models for drug discovery, alongside a major decarbonization project at its plant in Spain.

Bayer has entered a strategic sourcing partnership with Iambic Therapeutics, a science and technology firm, to accelerate small molecule discovery and new drug development.

The established corporation is collaborating with the partner to use its AI-powered platform for targeting traditionally difficult-to-reach drug targets.

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

By working with Iambic, we combine complementary capabilities to accelerate scientific insights and enhance decision-making across the R&D value chain.”

Empowering Bayer’s R&D Value Chain

The pharmaceutical company will employ the Enchant and NeuralPLexer AI platforms from Iambic Therapeutics to identify new drug pathways.

Implementing these systems will enable the company to improve optimization timelines and strengthen its early portfolio.

Thomas Miller, Co-Founder and CEO of Iambic Therapeutics, says: “Iambic is demonstrating that better technology leads to better medicines, both in our own hands and with visionary partners like Bayer.

Through this collaboration, Bayer gains 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.”

Thomas Miller, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of Iambic Therapeutics

Currently, Bayer’s research division focuses on specialty areas including oncology, cardiology, neurology, women’s health, and cell and gene therapies.

The sector currently manages 40 active programs, with an innovation portfolio consisting of 45% biologics and advanced therapies and 55% small molecules.

Sustainability Goals Reshape Procurement & Operations

Bayer is dedicated to sustainability and improving the lives of people. In 2025, the company set an ambitious goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire system by 2050 or sooner.

To achieve this, the company is transitioning to sourcing 100% of its electricity 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 are 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.”

Bill Anderson, Member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG. Credit: Bayer

Key Figures

• Bayer’s current innovation portfolio consists of 55% small molecules for advancing traditional drug discovery (Bayer)
• Biologics and advanced therapies make up 45% of the pipeline, targeting complex treatments (Bayer)
• Sustainability targets are driving the company toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner across its entire system (Bayer)

The Bayer facility in northern Spain reached a significant milestone in 2025, becoming the first plant in the region to achieve full decarbonization.

This achievement was made possible through a strategic collaboration with Iberdrola, an electric utility provider.

Iberdrola installed a thermal storage system adjacent to the Bayer site, converting renewable power into the steam needed for the plant’s industrial processes.

Mario Ruiz-Tagle, the CEO of Iberdrola Spain, says: “This is the first major steam electrification project in Spain and one of the largest in the world, reflecting the strong commitment of Bayer and Iberdrola to Asturias. It uses thermal storage technology, an available solution that can decarbonize up to 50% of the heat consumed by industry in Spain.”

Mario Ruiz-Tagle, CEO of Iberdrola Spain

Infrastructure upgrades at the facility began with the installation of a clean thermal storage system directly adjacent to the site. This technology enables seamless conversion of renewable power into the high-pressure industrial steam required for manufacturing.

By utilizing this electrified system, the plant succeeded in completely eliminating fossil fuel reliance for its critical production processes.

Furthermore, the project delivers a scalable model capable of decarbonizing up to 50% of all industrial heat consumed across Spain.