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Research Triangle Park, N.C. (October 15, 2003)
Bayer Biological Products (BP) today announced the creation of an independent bioethics advisory body, the Bayer International Bioethics Advisory Council (BIBAC). The newly developed council, the first privately-funded international council of its kind, is dedicated to exploring and developing recommendations on ethical issues associated with biological products, such as those produced from blood plasma. Council members include nine highly distinguished and globally recognized individuals in the fields of bioethics, medical science, and law. (See below for the list of BIBAC members.)
BIBAC is an expanded, international version of the highly successful former Canadian bioethics council, called the Bayer Advisory Council on Bioethics (BACB). Established in 1997 in response to Canadian public concerns about the safety and availability of blood and plasma, the BACB quickly established itself as a credible authority providing valuable counsel in dealing with the complex blood-related issues of the time. In fact, its inaugural paper, "Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Blood and Blood Products: A Bioethical Framework" contributed to significant policy decisions in both Canada and the United States.
Bayer BP's funding of the new international council stems from the increasing complexity of various bioethics issues facing the biologics industry and the need for appropriate guidelines to deal with these issues. "Bayer is proud to be the founder and sponsor of this prestigious organization and its predecessor in Canada," said Dr. Gunnar Riemann, president, Bayer Biological Products Division. "As a leader, we are committed to increasing the understanding and application of bioethics in the governance of the biologics industry. We believe this council’s work will benefit all members of the global biological products community, including patients, policy makers, and other industry partners."
A significant achievement for the new council is its partnership with the World Bank on selected topics, especially those benefiting developing countries in Eastern Europe and Latin America. As the first corporate partner for the World Bank's Global Development Learning Network (GDLN), Bayer BP and BIBAC have promoted learning initiatives in developing countries. Today, the council is enhancing Bayer's role and commitment in this effort by becoming a partner of the World Bank and Pan American Health Organization initiative, The Health Partnership for Knowledge Sharing and Learning in the Americas. Through this partnership, Bayer BP and BIBAC will help in building local health capacity in the Americas by promoting learning initiatives in developing countries.
In a speech given at a ceremony today at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., Dr. Riemann reinforced the role of good corporate citizens in helping organizations like the World Bank meet their goals. This partnership will help ensure applicable findings from BIBAC and its predecessor Canadian council are shared in developing countries. Additionally, Dr. Riemann formally acknowledged completion of BIBAC's first paper, "Non-therapeutic Immunization for Plasma Contribution: Ethical and Policy Issues." The paper can be viewed on the BIBAC Web site at www.BIBAC.org.
"The guidance from independent councils, such as BIBAC, assists corporate decision-makers in making ethically consistent decisions where laws, regulations, SOPs, and available scientific information are inadequate, inconsistent, or in the process of being developed," said Dr. Burleigh Trevor-Deutsch, chair of BIBAC and adjunct professor of Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, and Faculty of Administration, University of Ottawa. "The vision that drove the creation of this council is clear demonstration of Bayer BP's leadership and corporate citizenship."
The council is expected to meet four times and publish one paper each year on a variety of topics that impact the biologics industry. Topics for future papers will include the development of an ethical framework for strategic and regulatory decision-making concerning emerging pathogens and established product safety margins, and additionally, ethical issues related to cord blood.
About Bayer HealthCare
Bayer HealthCare combines the global activities of the divisions of Bayer AG in the fields of Biological Products, Consumer Care, Diagnostics, Animal Health, and Pharmaceuticals. More than 34,000 employees support the worldwide operations of Bayer HealthCare.
Bayer Biological Products is part of the worldwide operations of Bayer HealthCare, a subgroup of Bayer AG. Bayer HealthCare is one of the world's leading innovators in the health care and medical products industries.
Information about Bayer Biological Products Division can be found at www.bayerbiologicals.com.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group 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 our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 20-F). The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
BIBAC Members
Burleigh Trevor-Deutsch, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., LL.B., M.Phil. (Chair) — Canada
Ali Artaman, M.D., M.H.A. — Canada
Sheila Davies, R.G.N., S.C.M., R.N.T., R.C.T., M.A. — Scotland
Bernard M. Dickens, LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D., LL.D., F.R.S.C. — Canada
Adrian Ivinson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. — United States
Bartha Maria Knoppers, O.C., B.A., M.A., LL.B., B.C.L., D.E.A., D.L.S., Ph.D. — Canada
Eric M. Meslin, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. — United States
Paul Schotsmans, B.A., M.A., S.T.D., Ph.D. — Belgium
Paul Thompson, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. — Canada
Contact:
Tricia McKernan
Tel: 919.316.6316
Fax: 919.316.6673
E-mail: tricia.mckernan.b@bayer.com
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