Meet our Scientific Advisory Board: Reinhard Laenge

Reinhard Laenge, ecotoxicologist, former Head of Ecotoxicology, Bayer Pharma, now retired.

What is your field of expertise?

I have devoted my career to assessing the environmental risks of medicines. I specialize in European environmental regulations, OECD testing guidelines for chemicals and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines for environmental lab testing.

What do you expect from PREMIER?

From the PREMIER project, I hope to see real progress in how we understand and manage the environmental risks of pharmaceuticals. I look forward to clear guidance on prioritizing substances based on their potential harm, and the creation of a trusted, transparent database that makes environmental information accessible to all. I value the chance to exchange insights and data across sectors, fostering collaboration between scientists, regulators, and industry. I’m also excited about the development of new methods to predict how medicines behave under environmental conditions and affect wildlife, as well as exploring innovative approaches to designing greener, more sustainable pharmaceuticals for the future.

Why did you agree to be part of the SAB?

My previous role as project coordinator in a preceding project and as co-chair of industry task force on pharmaceuticals in the environment motivated me to join this SAB, based on my high interest and expertise in this field. I believe that PREMIER represents a unique opportunity to combine science, regulatory needs, new thinking in methodologies, and cooperation between stakeholders. I am happy to be part of this project.

What do you think are the current gaps in the/your field that PREMIER could fulfil?

In our field, there’s still much we don’t fully understand about how pharmaceuticals interact with the environment. We need deeper insight into their mode-of-action-driven effects—how specific substances impact ecosystems at a biological level. There’s also a clear need for better models that can reliably predict how these compounds behave and what effects they might have over time. Perhaps most importantly, we lack a shared, accessible database where environmental data on pharmaceuticals can be collected and compared. The PREMIER project has the potential to bridge these gaps and move the entire field forward.

How could society at large benefit from the PREMIER products?

The PREMIER products can help society see the bigger picture—offering a clearer understanding of how pharmaceuticals may impact both our health and the environment. With this knowledge, we can make more informed choices, balancing the benefits of medicines with their potential risks. By encouraging the exchange of insights between scientists, regulators, healthcare providers, and water managers, the project fosters collaboration that leads to smarter, evidence-based decisions—from shaping environmental policies to managing our water resources more sustainably.