Bayer HealthCare has signed a master agreement for the performance of clinical trials with Houston-based University of TexasMD Anderson Cancer Center.

The agreement aims to bolster ongoing and future collaborative clinical programs in oncology and bring new cancer treatments to patients. The oncology franchise of Bayer HealthCare explores specific treatment approaches for various tumors, including such common types of cancer as prostate, colorectal and breast cancer, as well as rarer forms like kidney, liver and thyroid cancer. MD Anderson Cancer Center focuses on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention.

The two organizations have formed a joint committee comprising clinicians and scientists from Bayer HealthCare's sites in Berlin, Germany and Whippany, N.J., and from MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, to plan and conduct clinical trials with investigational anti-cancer agents developed by Bayer HealthCare.

"Bayer is committed to bringing collaborative leadership to life by fostering partnerships with world renowned research centers such as MD Anderson," said Kemal Malik, M.D., head of global development, Bayer HealthCare. "The partnership will focus on improving the understanding of the biological mechanism of cancer to help identify patients who are likely to respond to specific treatments."