Bayer Leaps

Leaps by Bayer is the impact and breakthrough-innovation arm of Bayer, the German pharmaceutical and life sciences group. Leaps invests in transformative biotech, agricultural biotech, and health technology with the explicit aim of solving 10 major life-science challenges. The fund typically writes large checks ($10M-$50M+) at Series A and beyond, often as a strategic co-investor alongside top-tier biotech VCs. Healthcare exposure is the entire thesis, with deep focus on cell and gene therapy, regenerative medicine, women’s health, oncology, and other Bayer-strategic areas. Best fit: science-rich, breakthrough biotech founders working on category-defining therapeutics or platform technologies, especially in areas where Bayer brings real strategic value; founders comfortable with a corporate VC and the dynamics of pharma partnerships. Entry path is the Leaps by Bayer website and warm intros through Bayer’s R&D, business development, and existing portfolio. Not a fit for digital health, healthcare IT, medical devices outside Bayer’s strategic areas, life sciences tools, or any non-therapeutics company. Founders should bring real scientific differentiation and a clear path to clinical proof-of-concept; this is a serious therapeutics check, not an opportunistic angel.