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Bayer to conduct research into AIDS

Bayer Pharma designates new research focal points:

Concentration on 13 therapeutic fields

Leverkusen
) Bayer has decided to enter the field of AIDS research. At the same

time, the company will redefine its spectrum of pharmaceutical research

activities to concentrate on 13 therapeutic fields. This decision results from

an evaluation of the existing research focal points and a comprehensive

analysis of diseases with respect to the therapeutic need, market potential,

technical feasibility and the probability of success.

"We are convinced that we can transfer to HIV the strategies and technologies

that we have successfully implemented with other viral diseases in the past,"

said Professor Wolfgang Hartwig, head of research in Bayer's Pharmaceutical

Business Group. "Our goal is to identify a substance with an innovative

mechanism that is also effective against resistant viruses." In the field of

virology, Bayer will begin the search for an active substance to combat HIV in

part because the currently available drug products for that indication have

considerable potential for improvement, according to Hartwig. Added to this is

a climbing rate of new infections and increasing development of resistance.

Bayer expects to have the first candidate for development in about two years

from now.

In addition to AIDS, Bayer will also conduct research into other new

indications in the future, including urology and the neurodegenerative

disorders Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease. Although these diseases

are occurring with increasing frequency due to the growing proportion of

elderly people in our society, the currently available products are

insufficient to treat them.

Bayer's researchers will cease their activities in the fields of osteoporosis,

fibrosis of the liver and stroke since a number of promising, innovative active

substances have been discovered in recent years.

8Our aim is to further boost our efficiency by achieving optimal use of our

research capacities through the strategic deployment of our available

resources," said Professor Hartwig.

A total of 1,600 employees at Bayer research centers on three continents are

involved in the search for new active substances, since almost two thirds of

known diseases still cannot be treated with drug products. Research at

Wuppertal, Germany, centers around bacterial and viral infections, coronary

heart disease, arteriosclerosis, hematology and CNS (central nervous system).

Bayer's biological research laboratories at Stoke Court, United Kingdom, are

concentrating on chronic respiratory diseases. The company's researchers at

West Haven, Connecticut (United States) are searching for promising substances

in the fight against cancer, diabetes and obesity. And the pharmaceutical

research center established in 1995 at Kyoto, Japan, has responsibility for

Bayer's asthma research activities. Urology research will also be conducted

there in the future.

Leverkusen, November 22, 2000

seh (2000-11-382E)

Contact:

Christina Sehnert, Tel. +49-214-30-66102