WHO Foundation and Bayer Collaborate to Support Global Health Initiatives

GENEVA and BERLIN, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The WHO Foundation today announced a wide-ranging collaboration with Bayer to support global health initiatives. The agreement will help to resource WHO's efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases, promote self-care, and gain insights into the impact of climate changes on sexual and reproductive health.

For two decades, Bayer has collaborated with WHO in the fight against neglected tropical diseases through donated medicines and financing to strengthen health systems in vulnerable communities. The partnership with the WHO Foundation builds on this record of support and focuses on three shared priorities:

• Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs): The partnership will continue to contribute to global efforts to eliminate Chagas disease, Human African Trypanosomiasis, and Taeniasis. These diseases still affect more than 1 billion people worldwide, and climate change is expected to intensify risks by shifting disease patterns, underscoring the importance of resilient strategies.

• Self-Care: The partnership supports work to build countries' capacities to incorporate self-care interventions as part of universal health coverage, with a focus on underserved populations in low- and middle-income countries.

• Climate and Sexual and Reproductive Health: This collaboration supports the UN cosponsored Human Reproduction Programme (HRP) executed by WHO and focuses on how climate change is affecting sexual and reproductive health, drawing directly from people's real-life experiences.

This collaboration accelerates momentum toward the Sustainable Development Goals and helps close critical healthcare gaps. Bayer and the WHO Foundation invite global stakeholders to join innovative funding opportunities, recognizing that sustained, cross-sector action is vital to improving health outcomes for communities worldwide.

Leadership Perspectives

"Bayer's long-term engagement shows the role industry can play in global health. Through the WHO Foundation, this partnership will expand into new models of funding and action," said Anil Soni, CEO, WHO Foundation.

"For two decades, Bayer has supported global efforts to eliminate a number of Neglected Tropical Diseases. Today we are proud to renew this commitment through a partnership with the WHO Foundation. We are also delighted to be opening up a new and exciting chapter which will lead to better public knowledge of how climate change is affecting sexual and reproductive health," said Claus Runge, Global Head of Public Affairs, Sustainability & Internal Engagement, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer.

"Most people spend just 1.5 hours a year with a doctor, meaning self-care is their frontline of health. From managing pain and allergies to digestive and intimate care, empowering people with the tools and knowledge to care for themselves is not just smart, it is essential. That's why our partnership with the WHO Foundation is so important. Self care shifts the focus from systems to people, eases pressure on healthcare infrastructure, and ensures that everyone, regardless of income or geography, can take charge of their health," said Daniella Foster, SVP & Global Head, Public Affairs, Market Access & Sustainability, Consumer Health, Bayer.

About WHO Foundation

The WHO Foundation is an independent organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, created in 2020 to support the mission of the World Health Organization. It mobilizes philanthropic capital and builds catalytic partnerships to advance health equity, respond to urgent health challenges, and strengthen systems that save lives. By connecting partners and practitioners, the Foundation helps scale trusted solutions, fund life-saving responses, and drive lasting change toward Health for All. who.foundation

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.

SOURCE WHO Foundation