Bayer, a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition, has acquired BlueRock Therapeutics, a privately held US-headquartered biotechnology company, from Versant Ventures, a leading healthcare venture capital firm, for $600m. In addition to its current focus, BlueRock Therapeutics platform brings the opportunity to extend to other therapeutic areas beyond the current development programs. To preserve the entrepreneurial culture as an essential pillar for nurturing successful innovation, BlueRock Therapeutics will remain an independent company operating on an arms-length basis. “The BlueRock transaction reinforces our current approach to identifying the most promising new scientific discoveries across multiple geographies. As a Canadian, I am particularly proud of the country’s contributions to the creation of a leading cell therapy company focused on therapeutics to reverse degenerative diseases.” Brad Bolzon, Versant Managing Director and chairman and BlueRock Board Director.