What Bayer does

Bayer plc is the UK & Ireland subsidiary of Bayer AG, the German life sciences group founded in 1863 that reported €47.6 billion in FY2023 group revenue. The UK entity operates three divisions. Pharmaceuticals markets Eylea (aflibercept, including the 8mg formulation approved across multiple retinal indications), Nubeqa (darolutamide) in oncology, and finerenone in cardio-renal care, with pipeline assets including asundexian, a cardiac amyloidosis PET tracer, and a 225Ac-PSMA-Trillium radionuclide therapy. Consumer Health sells heritage OTC brands — Canesten, Berocca, Bepanthen, Rennie, Clarityn, Germoloids, and Alka-Seltzer — and in January 2025 launched the CanesMeno menopause range with a companion digital hub. Crop Science provides herbicides (Roundup, Atlantis star, Pacifica Plus), fungicides (Plaxium, Vivalis, Ascra, Iblon, Jessico Fusion) and digital farming tools (FieldMate, Agronomy ID hub, MagicTrap).

The business model is division-specific. Pharma generates revenue through NHS and private payer reimbursement on a prescription basis, anchored by MHRA marketing authorisations and NICE recommendations that gate pricing and access. Consumer Health operates a brand-led, retail-channel model with national pharmacy and grocery distribution; the CanesMeno launch added a direct-to-consumer digital layer and an exclusive Boots retail partnership at launch. Crop Science sells through UK agricultural merchants and agronomist networks, increasingly bundled with digital agronomy services that monetize data alongside chemistry. Pricing power varies by division: Pharma pricing is constrained by NHS frameworks, consumer health leverages brand equity at relatively accessible price points, and crop science pricing is seasonally negotiated against commodity-driven farmer budgets.

The UK entity coordinates with Bayer Group's global R&D infrastructure (€5.8 billion group R&D spend), participates in cross-Bayer talent and educational programs such as Baylab workshops (with new Digital Coding and CRISPR/Gene Editing curricula), and engages in UK R&D partnerships such as the £100,000 Bayer-Niab Challenge Grant (December 2024). Recent UK-specific commitments include a £315,000 donation to South Central Ambulance Service for paramedic apprenticeships and a PAC Global Award for accessible QR-code packaging initiatives in 2025.

Name

Bayer

Legal name

Bayer Public Limited Company

Website

https://bayer.co.uk

Company type

Public

Founded year

1870

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Bayer plc is the UK & Ireland subsidiary of Bayer AG, operating pharmaceuticals (ophthalmology, oncology, cardiology), consumer health (Canesten, Berocca, Bepanthen, CanesMeno), and crop science (herbicides, fungicides, digital farming tools), serving NHS trusts, UK farmers, and consumers through retail and direct channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Life Sciences (Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Health and Crop Science)

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253), Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Women’s Health & Reproductive Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Endocrinology & Reproductive Health Pharmaceuticals (incl. Women’s Health) (HLAIAAAJ)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical products
• Consumer health products
• Crop protection products
• Agricultural seeds
• Precision agriculture tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Leverkusen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceuticals: Bayer researches, develops, manufactures and markets innovative products for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Revenue generated through prescription medicines across cardiovascular, oncology, ophthalmology, women's health, and radiology therapeutic areas.
2. Consumer Health: Bayer provides consumers with over-the-counter (OTC) healthcare products, medical devices, cosmetics and food supplements. Products include branded OTC medicines available without prescription through pharmacies, supermarkets, and online retailers.
3. Crop Science: Bayer's Crop Science division is a world-leading agriculture business in seeds, traits, crop protection, and digital solutions. Products include herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, seed treatments, and digital platforms sold through agricultural merchants and distributors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bayer researches, develops, manufactures, and markets prescription pharmaceutical products in cardiovascular, oncology, ophthalmology, women's health and radiology; manufactures and distributes a portfolio of over-the-counter consumer health medicines, medical devices, cosmetics and food supplements under brands such as Canesten, Berocca, Bepanthen, Rennie, Clarityn and Germoloids; and supplies Crop Science inputs — seeds, crop protection chemicals, digital farming platforms and pest control — to UK farmers and agronomists.

Product overview

Bayer operates as a global life science company with three main divisions: Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Health, and Crop Science. The Pharmaceuticals division focuses on cardiology, oncology, ophthalmology, women's health, and radiology, with key products including Eylea® for retinal diseases, finerenone for heart failure, and Nubeqa® for prostate cancer. Consumer Health offers over-the-counter medicines and self-care products under sub-brands including Canesten®, Berocca®, Bepanthen®, Clarityn®, Rennie®, and Germoloids®, with CanesMeno® representing a newer menopause support line launched in January 2025. Crop Science provides seeds, crop protection products (herbicides including Roundup® and Atlantis® star, fungicides including Plaxium®, Vivalis®, Ascra®, Iblon®, and Jessico® Fusion), digital tools (FieldMate app, Agronomy ID hub), and sustainable agriculture solutions including MagicTrap™ pest control. The company also operates Baylab, an educational science outreach program. These divisions are united by the mission 'Health for all, Hunger for none.'

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Canesten: UK's #1 women's intimate health brand with over 40 years of heritage and expertise
• Berocca
• Bepanthen
• Rennie
• Clarityn
• Germoloids
• CanesMeno
• Baylab
• Crop Science

Products and services

• Eylea® (aflibercept 8 mg) Intravitreal anti-VEGF injection indicated for wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular oedema and macular oedema following RVO; supports extended dosing intervals of four months or longer. Prescribed by ophthalmologists and supplied via NHS hospital pharmacy.
• Nubeqa® (darolutamide) Oral androgen receptor inhibitor used in combination with ADT for the treatment of adults with hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer, recommended by NICE and dispensed via NHS oncology pharmacy.
• Finerenone (heart failure indication) Oral, non-steroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist authorised by the MHRA for adults with heart failure with LVEF ≥40%; used by cardiologists and prescribed via NHS hospital pharmacy.
• CanesMeno® Hub digital platform Free digital service offering menopause symptom tracking, personalised insights, specialist articles and downloadable information to support UK women navigating perimenopause and menopause. Accessible at app.canesmeno.co.uk.
• CanesMeno® Menopause Support Multi-Support Daily food supplement containing 17 vitamins and minerals, including red clover, vitamin B6 for hormonal regulation, iron, zinc, vitamins B12 and C, marketed to menopausal women seeking multi-symptom support at MRRP £26.99.
• CanesMeno® Menopause Support Night Daily food supplement containing ashwagandha extract (to support normal sleep) plus hops and vitamin B6, marketed for the sleep aspect of menopausal support at MRRP £16.99.
• CanesMeno® Menopause Care Hydration & Comfort Gel Medical device gel containing Ectoin® providing up to five days of relief from vaginal atrophy symptoms (dryness, itching, burning); free from fragrance, dyestuffs, mineral oils, alcohol and hormones at MRRP £13.99.
• Canesten® UK's #1 women's intimate health brand offering OTC treatments for thrush, bacterial vaginosis, cystitis and vaginal dryness, sold via pharmacies, supermarkets and online.
• Berocca® OTC vitamin and mineral supplement range positioned for energy, cognitive function and overall wellbeing, sold through pharmacies, supermarkets and online — featuring accessible QR code packaging on selected SKUs.
• Bepanthen® OTC skincare range for skin care and wound healing, sold through pharmacies and major retailers.
• Clarityn® OTC antihistamine range for the relief of hay fever and other allergic conditions, available through pharmacies and retailers.
• Rennie® OTC antacid range for the relief of heartburn, acid indigestion and upset stomach, sold OTC via pharmacies and retailers.
• Germoloids® OTC range for the treatment of haemorrhoids and related symptoms, sold via pharmacies and retailers.
• Roundup® Systemic herbicide brand used for weed control in UK agricultural and horticultural applications, distributed through agricultural merchants.
• Jessico® Fusion fungicide Dual-active-ingredient fungicide authorised for crop protection in Great Britain, providing broad-spectrum disease control in cereals.
• Iblon® fungicide Cereal fungicide with expanded label use across additional crops including barley following CRD restriction lift.
• Plaxium® fungicide Fungicide supporting season-long disease management programmes in cereal crops, distributed via UK agricultural merchants.
• Ascra® fungicide Fungicide for agricultural crop disease control, sold through agricultural merchants and distributors.
• Vivalis® fungicide Fungicide for crop protection applications in UK agriculture, distributed via agricultural merchants.
• MagicTrap™ pest control device Proprietary pest control device using attract-and-capture technology to reduce reliance on broad-spectrum insecticides in agricultural use.
• FieldMate app Mobile app helping UK agronomists and farmers identify common UK diseases, pests and weeds via image matching, and view corresponding Bayer product recommendations, label and tank-mix details.
• Agronomy ID hub Digital platform helping farmers and agronomists diagnose crop problems, plan treatments and access Bayer product information and agronomy advice.

Quantifiable outcome

• Patients treated with Eylea 8mg required average of 3 fewer injections than aflibercept 2mg by week 64
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability9 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and historical.

• Futures for AllminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026New partnership supporting students from state schools in accessing meaningful work placements. Aims to break down barriers and empower students to thrive in future careers, particularly in the life sciences sector. Previously known as Speakers for Schools.
• Science MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Baylab taking up residency in Science Museum Technicians Gallery during Science Week as part of their Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery. Goal to engage thousands of young people with technical roles in life sciences with ~50 volunteers from Bayer UK.
• South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 December 2025Bayer donated £315,000 total support for 2025, including £135,000 additional levy transfer enabling 6 people to gain BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science degree through apprenticeship route. Supports next generation of paramedics and bolsters vital NHS services in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire.
• Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Joint Working Project to improve quality and journey of prostate cancer patients through introduction of Non-Medical Prescribing Pharmacist, announced December 2025.
• Ductu PortalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 September 2025Partnership to deliver inclusive SEN work experience opportunities, ensuring students of all abilities can explore careers in science and participate in meaningful workplace encounters.
• Various NHS TrustscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Multiple joint working projects with NHS Foundation Trusts including prostate cancer service optimisation (September 2025) and extended nurse service provision (June 2024).
• BootscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 January 2025Exclusive initial retail partner for CanesMeno product range launch. Products available at Boots stores and Boots.com from 29 January 2025, with wider distribution across major supermarkets following in early spring 2025.
• PAGB (Consumer Healthcare Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Mike Knowland serves as President of PAGB, driving self-care initiatives. PAGB is key champion for self-care in the UK, working to improve access to OTC medicines and empower people to self-care, aligning with Bayer's global vision.
• CIG Group / Boots Pharmacy TeamsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 202510-minute e-learning CPD module available on Bayer Learning e-platform via CIG group. Online learning modules available for Boots pharmacy teams and healthcare specialists via Boots Tutor.
• NiabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 December 2024Bayer's Crop Science division partnered with Cambridge-based plant science organisation Niab for the Bayer-Niab Challenge Grant Program. Five research projects funded with £100,000 award over one year, focusing on genetic diversity in wheat, flowering control in strawberry, root symbiosis in wheat, and phenotyping technology. Bayer provides financial and mentorship resources plus access to its leading crop science researchers.
• Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2023Building for the Future: Diagnostic & Treatment Centre for Moorfields at Stratford joint working project, announced November 2023.
• PeppyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Digital healthcare app partnership providing all UK and Ireland employees and their partners access to menopause support services.
• ZapparcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Partnership with Zappar to develop Accessible QR codes for Berocca and Canescool products, making them accessible to people who are blind or low vision. Developed in close partnership with RNIB and compliant with GS1 standards.
• RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Regulatory and accessibility body partner in development of Accessible QR codes, ensuring compliance with accessibility standards and healthcare packaging requirements.
• GS1coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Standards body enabling unique identification, accurate data capture, and seamless information sharing across businesses. Accessible QR codes comply with GS1 standards.
• Gen MminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Independent menopause organisation partnered with Bayer Plc in 2022. Bayer signed Menopause Workplace Pledge, ensuring every employee experiencing menopause receives support.
• Royal InstitutionhistoricalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Royal Institution provided support from 2016 to 2021 in ensuring UK Baylab met needs of schools and young people. Played key role in Baylab launch at Reading in March 2017, working with Bayer labs and sharing expertise from L'Oreal Young Scientist Centre.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Corteva, Inc. US-listed global pure-play agriculture company providing crop protection, seeds and digital services, competing directly with Bayer Crop Science in cereals chemistry, seed traits and precision agronomy in the UK and European markets.
• Haleon plc: UK-listed consumer healthcare company spun out of GSK, with leading OTC brands across oral health, pain relief, vitamins and women's health, directly comparable to Bayer's Consumer Health portfolio (Berocca, Bepanthen, Clarityn, Rennie, Canesten).
• Novartis AG: Swiss-headquartered global pharmaceutical company with strong cardiology and ophthalmology franchises, competing with Bayer in cardiovascular (finerenone vs. Entresto, Leqvio) and retinal disease (Eylea vs. Beovu).
• AstraZeneca plc: UK-based global pharmaceutical company with major franchises in oncology, cardiovascular, renal and respiratory disease, directly competing with Bayer's Eylea, Nubeqa and finerenone launches for NHS formulary share and clinical trial sites.
• Reckitt Benckiser Group plc: UK-listed consumer health and hygiene major with brands such as Nurofen, Gaviscon, Dettol and Durex, overlapping with Bayer's OTC portfolio across pharmacy and grocery channels in the UK and internationally.
• BASF SE: German-headquartered chemical and agricultural solutions company with crop protection, seeds and digital farming offerings, directly comparable to Bayer Crop Science and historically linked to Bayer through the 2005 Lanxess spin-off.
• GSK plc: UK-headquartered global biopharma company with prescription pharmaceuticals and vaccines, directly comparable to Bayer Pharmaceuticals across cardiovascular, oncology and respiratory, and historically overlapping in consumer health before the Haleon spin-off.
• Syngenta Group: Global agribusiness company (China National Chemical Corporation-owned) with crop protection, seeds and digital agronomy solutions, the closest direct competitor to Bayer Crop Science in herbicides, fungicides and integrated farm digital tools.
• Roche Holding AG: Swiss global pharmaceutical and diagnostics company with oncology, ophthalmology and women's health portfolios, comparable to Bayer across therapy areas and through Bayer's investment in PET imaging agents and radioligand therapy (225Ac-PSMA-Trillium).
• Sanofi SA: French global healthcare company with both prescription pharmaceuticals (specialty care, vaccines) and a large Consumer Healthcare business, structurally comparable to Bayer's pharma plus consumer health dual model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bayer
• YouTubeyoutube.com/BayerUKIre
• Facebookfacebook.com/Bayer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bayer
• Instagraminstagram.com/bayeruki

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bayer