Zoom imageVisiting with the winners of the German Future Prize 2009: German President Christian Wulff (3rd from right) with Bayer scientists Dr. Frank Misselwitz (left), Dr. Dagmar Kubitza (2nd from left) and Dr. Elisabeth Perzborn (right), Bayer CEO Dr. Marijn Dekkers (center) and Dr. Alexander Straub.
It was a great honor for the team of three Bayer employees. “I’m delighted to be able to visit you at your workplace,” said Federal President Christian Wulff to Dr. Frank Misselwitz, Dr. Elisabeth Perzborn and Dr. Dagmar Kubitza, all scientists working at Bayer’s research center in Wuppertal. The German head of state was visiting the winners of the President’s 2009 “German Future Prize” for achievements in technology and innovation. The award was made for the team’s development of the new blood coagulation inhibitor rivaroxaban (brand name: Xarelto™).
President Wulff was welcomed to the center by the prizewinners and by Dr. Marijn Dekkers, Chairman of the Bayer AG Board of Management, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Plischke, the Board member responsible for research, and Peter Jung, Mayor of Wuppertal. Numerous groundbreaking medicines have been discovered and developed at this facility. Last year Bayer invested some €3.1 billion in research and development, including some €2 billion in the field of health care. Bayer’s pharmaceutical research center in Wuppertal employs more than 1,300 people. “It was really impressive to meet the winners of the Future Prize at their workplace,” Wulff said after his tour. Bayer’s development of Xarelto™ is a life-saving invention. “My impression is that this company’s innovations are also enhancing our country’s reputation.”