Friedemann Janus, PhD, is a seasoned leader in the pharmaceutical industry, boasting over two decades of expertise that spans business development, licensing, strategy, divestments, commercial operations, and consulting. Currently, he serves as the Senior Vice President and Regional Head of Business Development & Licensing at Bayer, where he is at the forefront of innovative initiatives that bridge global and regional markets to foster groundbreaking advancements in healthcare.
In his current role, Dr. Janus and his team focus on three pivotal areas. First, they develop regional strategies that connect to local innovation ecosystems, access external innovations, identify and execute licensing opportunities, and manage alliances through Bayer’s Collaborate to Cure Hubs in China and Japan. Second, Dr. Janus leads Bayer Co.Lab, a state-of-the-art incubator network with sites in Cambridge (U.S.), Berlin (Germany), Kobe (Japan), and Shanghai (China), which nurtures transformative healthcare startups. Third, he oversees all out-licensing and divestiture activities for Bayer’s Pharmaceutical division, driving portfolio optimization and corporate growth.
Before his current role in BD&L, Dr. Janus was instrumental in launching Xarelto in its chronic indications as Vice President & Global Head of Commercial and Global Head of Launch Management. His strategic leadership significantly expanded Xarelto’s market presence, establishing it as a leading therapeutic option worldwide.
Prior to joining Bayer, Dr. Janus was a Partner at McKinsey & Company, where he supported Life Science companies across the US and Europe. His work focused on innovation and commercial strategies, helping these companies achieve growth and operational excellence.
Dr. Janus holds a PhD in Molecular Biology from the Heinrich Pette Institute for Experimental Virology at Hamburg University in Germany. His strong scientific foundation and innovative mindset have been crucial in driving his successful career in the pharmaceutical industry.
