Bayer strengthens natural health research with advanced phytomedicines lab in Germany

Bayer employees (Chloe Picot and Aude Barroso) cut a ribbon to celebrate the opening of a new lab at the company’s facility in Darmstadt, Germany.

(IN BRIEF) Bayer has officially opened a modern laboratory in Darmstadt, Germany, designed to accelerate research and development in phytomedicines and biotics, with a particular focus on Iberogast and future plant-based health innovations. The facility will enable rapid prototyping, foster collaboration among teams, and strengthen Bayer’s capacity to meet the rising demand for natural, science-backed remedies. Building on over 60 years of leadership in phytomedicine, Bayer intends to expand its natural health portfolio and maintain its position at the forefront of plant-based healthcare solutions.

(PRESS RELEASE) DARMSTADT, 19-Seo-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Bayer has inaugurated a cutting-edge laboratory at its Darmstadt, Germany site, dedicated to accelerating innovation in phytomedicines and biotics, with a strong focus on the continued development of Iberogast and other natural health products. This investment underscores Bayer’s long-standing commitment to advancing plant-based healthcare solutions and strengthening Darmstadt as a hub of scientific excellence.

At the opening ceremony, Bayer employees Chloe Picot and Aude Barroso cut the ribbon, marking the official launch of the new lab. Guests were given demonstrations showcasing the facility’s capabilities, emphasizing its role in rapid prototyping and in-house innovation.

Darmstadt Demo: Bayer employee demonstrates new lab capabilities for guests at a grand opening celebration of a new phytomedicines prototyping lab in Darmstadt, Germany.

“This new lab is a game changer for our business and our team,” said Chloe Picot, site lead at Darmstadt. “It provides our experts with direct access to advanced prototyping tools, enabling us to create and refine new solutions with greater speed and efficiency.”

Bayer has been a pioneer in phytomedicine for over six decades, beginning with the introduction of Iberogast, which remains one of the most extensively researched herbal remedies worldwide. Supported by more than 20 clinical studies and over 7,000 patient cases, Iberogast continues to be trusted by healthcare professionals for its effectiveness in treating gastrointestinal conditions and promoting gut health through natural means.

The new facility aims to strengthen Bayer’s ability to expand its portfolio of herbal and natural-based health solutions. It will foster collaboration between teams while providing the infrastructure necessary to accelerate the design and development of new products that align with consumer demand for natural, scientifically validated treatments.

Thorsten Umland, head of digestive health research and development at Bayer, remarked, “This facility is a testament to Bayer’s dedication to meeting the increasing global interest in natural health solutions. By building on more than 60 years of expertise in phytomedicine, we are ensuring that our research continues to deliver products grounded in science and trusted by consumers worldwide.

About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, “Health for all, Hunger for none,” the company’s products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2024, the Group employed around 93,000 people and had sales of 46.6 billion euros. R&D expenses amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Media Contacts:

Jeffrey Donald
Comms Lead – R&D / Regulatory Medical Safety & Compliance
jeffrey.donald@bayer.com
+41 79 907 7111

Lena Schröder
Communications Consumer Health
lena.schroeder@bayer.com
+49 175 30-04938

SOURCE: Bayer