BAYER AG

History

Year	Detail
The Early Years (1863–1881)	In August 1863, Friedrich Bayer and master dyer Johann Friedrich Weskott found Friedr. Bayer et comp.
Becoming an International Company (1881–1914)	Bayer developed into a chemical company that expanded into international operations.
World War I and Its Consequences (1914–1925)	In 1917, Bayer launched its third production site during the war in Dormagen. The company was increasingly integrated into the war economy and started providing war materials such as explosives and chemical weapons.
I.G. Farbenindustrie AG (1925–1945)	In 1925, six German firms formed a community of interests to remain competitive and gain access to new markets.
	From 1940 onward, I.G. Farben accelerated the usage of forced laborers from the occupied countries of Europe to maintain and broaden production capabilities within the Lower Rhine operating consortium.
I.G. Farben trial, early release and reestablishment of Bayer (1945–1951)	In 1951, Farbenfabriken Bayer AG was newly founded and allocated with the Leverkusen Elberfeld, Dormagen, and Uerdingen sites.
	In 1952, Bayer assigned a newly established subsidiary, Agfa (Aktiengesellschaft für Fotofabrikation).
Reconstruction and the "Economic Miracle" (1951–1974)	The reconstruction of Bayer was closely linked with the economic miracle in the Federal Republic of Germany.
	Bayer expanded its business activities in Germany and Europe. In 1957, the company joined Deutsche BP to find Erdölchemie GmbH in Dormagen to enter the petrochemical industry.
Oil Crisis and Consolidation (1974–1988)	Bayer acquired Cutter Laboratories Inc. in 1974 and Miles Laboratories Inc. in 1978.
	In 1980, Bayer Tower Biology was introduced to treat biological wastewater in Leverkusen.
Transformation and Globalization (1988–2001)	In 1994, Bayer acquired Sterling Winthrop's North American self-medication business, which helped the company regain the rights to the "Bayer" company name in the U.S.
	In 1995, Miles Inc., a U.S.-based company, was renamed Bayer Corp.
2001–2010 Reorganization of the Group	In 2001, Bayer acquired Aventis CropScience for $7.9 billion, making the company a global leader in crop protection.
	In 2002, Bayer CropScience AG was launched as the first legal independent subgroup of Bayer.
	In 2003, the subgroups Bayer Chemicals AG, Bayer HealthCare AG, and Bayer Technology Services GmbH gained legal independence as part of the Bayer Group's reorganization.
	In January 2005, Bayer acquired Roche, a consumer health business company, to become one of the top three suppliers of non-prescription medicines worldwide.
	In December 2005 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves sorafenib (Nexavar).
	In December 2006 Schering AG was officially renamed as Bayer Schering Pharma AG.
	In January 2006, Bayer Schering Pharma AG operated as a division of the Bayer HealthCare subgroup, together with its existing pharmaceuticals business.
	In January 2006 Bayer sold the Diagnostics Division of Bayer HealthCare to Siemens AG for $4.6 billion.
	In November 2009, Bayer CropScience acquired Athenix Corp.
2010–2022 Investing in the Future	In February 2011, Bayer started manufacturing high-tech plastics using Co2 at its Dream Production pilot plant in Leverkusen.
	In March 2014, Bayer acquired Algeta to strengthen its oncology business.
	In October 2014 Bayer acquires the consumer care business of Merck & Co. Inc..
	In November 2014, Bayer acquired Dihon Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. to strengthen its Consumer Care business in China.
	In December 2014, Bayer CropScience acquired land management assets for DuPont Crop Protection in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand.
	In August 2019, Bayer sold its Animal Health business for $7.6 billion to Elanco Animal Health.
	In December 2020, Bayer acquired Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio) and launched a new platform for cell and gene therapy within the pharmaceuticals division.
	In 2021, Bayer strengthened its drug discovery platform by acquiring Vividion Therapeutics for $1.5 billion.
	In 2022, Bayer announced the sale of its Environmental Science Professional business to the international private equity company Cinven.